Charleston, W.Va. (WVDN) — The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE), in partnership with the Central West Virginia Writing Project, Marshall University, the June Harless Center and the University of Charleston, hosted more than 200 student writers at the University of Charleston for Young Writers Day. Additionally, award-winning West Virginia author Nora Shalaway Carpenter addressed the future writers and families as the keynote speaker.
Young Writers Day has recognized student writing in the Mountain State for more than 40 years. The event stems from a deep commitment to acknowledge and celebrate the creativity of student writing across all subjects. Teachers and administrators from every county urge students to submit original entries in any prose genre and share their skills with others. Writing remains a hallmark of a comprehensive and robust education that provides opportunities for success for all students.
“Writing and literacy skills make up the groundwork for lifelong learning and achievement. These incredible students, full of wonder and talent, are displaying skills that will benefit them throughout their lives,” said State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt. “This opportunity to share and grow will broaden our students’ knowledge and will.”
Nora Shalaway Carpenter, author of novels Fault Lines and The Edge of Anything, hails from Cameron, West Virginia in Marshall County and participated in Young Writers Day as a student. She is a celebrated and nationally acclaimed writer who routinely presents across the country. Her accolades include the 2024 Green Earth Book Award for Young Adult Fiction, a 2024 Whippoorwill Honor for exemplary rural fiction, being named to the prestigious Texas Library Association TAYSHAS State Reading List, among numerous other awards and recognitions.
Participating students also engaged in grade-appropriate writing workshops led by education leaders and award-winning local writers. As part of the event, first-place state winners read their submissions and county winners were recognized for their contributions.
State Winners
Student Name, Grade Level, Award Level, County
Jewliana Davis 1-2 1st Harrison
Jacob Treu 1-2 2nd West Virginia Academy
Genevieve Fleming 1-2 3rd Cabell
Jett Reesman 3-4 1st Marion
Amelia Adkins 3-4 2nd Lincoln
Zuri Alford 3-4 3rd Marshall
Alyssa Roldan 5-6 1st Wyoming
Alyvia Barb 5-6 2nd Monongalia
Elaine Casenelli 5-6 3rd Wirt
Camyrn Lowther 7-8 1st Harrison
Lorie McKinney 7-8 2nd Fayette
Duncan Bishop 7-8 3rd Kanawha
Raegan Feury 9-10 1st Nicholas
Kairi Thornburg 9-10 2nd Hancock
Joanna Dong 9-10 3rd Harrison
Ryan Johns 11-12 1st Raleigh
Ashley Mendez 11-12 2nd Greenbrier
Caspen McKone 11-12 3rd Mineral
Visit the Young Writers Day page on the WVDE website to learn more. See photos from the event in the WVDE Flickr album.
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