Young Writers is a competition sponsored by the Piedmont Area Chapter of the Virginia State Literacy Association. This year’s theme was “Honoring the past…embracing the future!” Students were able to participate in the areas of essay, poetry, and short fiction. The following are the grade level winners in each genre.

12th Grade Essays 

1st-Heidi Ellis, 2nd-Leara Slattery and MacKenzie Harris (tie), HM-Caleb McCormick

12th Grade Short Fiction 

1st-Lucas Walker, 2nd-Caroline Kirby, 3rd-Caitlyn Childress, HM-Hugo Enrique Martinez and Will McKinney (tie)

12th Grade Poetry

1st–Sophia Barker, 2nd-Haylee Hines, 3rd-Caitlyn Childress, HM-Chloe Leavitt 

11th Grade Essays 

1st-Alex Wohlstein,2nd-Jackson Lester-, 3rd-Carlie Marshall, HM-Abigail Lent

11th Grade Short Fiction 

1st-Genna Hyler, 2nd-Caiden Shelton, 3rd-Reece Eanes, HM-Hallie Holt

11th Grade Poetry

1st-Hallie Holt, 2nd-Jasmine Waller

10th Grade Essays 

1st-Morgan Curtis, 2nd-Mercedes Glasscock, 3rd-Jadon Hawker, HM-Thomas James

10th Grade Short Fiction 

1st-Alex Johnson, 2nd-Jenna Brooks, 3rd-Taylor Pyrtle, HM-Rhiannon Raymond 

10th Grade Poetry 

1st-Nathaniel Haizlip, 2nd-Caydense Bryant, 3rd-Michelle Morris, HM-Madison Austin

9th Grade Essays 

1st-Miranda Smallwood, 2nd-Cherish Adkins, 3rd-Caroline Clay, HM-Noah Williams

9th Grade Fiction

1st-Abby Grubbs, 2nd-Avalyn Emerson, 3rd-Sam Payne, HM-Cherish Adkins

9th Grade Poetry 

1st-Miranda Smallwood, 2nd-Kelsie Scott, 3rd-Ava Presley, HM-Ceilidh Hicks 

The top three entries from each category will advance to the county-level competition.