Ruffing seventh grader Caroline Anderson-Nhok advanced to the State Finals of the 2008 Power of the Pen Interscholastic Competition for Young Writers. In Ruffing’s first year in the popular program, two teams of six writers represented Ruffing and competed with students from area public and independent schools at the district event.

From there, two seventh grade students and two eighth grade students were named regional qualifiers, competing at Hudson Middle School against 200 other writers. Representing the seventh grade were Caroline Anderson-Nhok and Victoria Martin, and from the eighth grade, Erik Thiem and Joe Eyerman. Caroline placed 18th among the 88 competitors at Regionals and will compete at the State tournament on May 22 and 23 at the College of Wooster.

The annual event recognizes creative writing, publishes student work and assists teachers in promoting good writing in the classroom. In the competition, students are asked to write a creative narrative, using an unknown prompt, in a forty minute period.

Kathie Freer encouraged students to participate in the creative writing event “to emphasize writing talent, just as students use their gifts to compete in music or sports. I am delighted that we have a State qualifier our first year in the program. Writing is a skill that improves with practice; this is an important lesson for students.”