3,000 expected at YSU English Festival

YOUNGSTOWN — There was a low buzz in the Chestnut Room of Youngstown State University’s Kilcawley Center as several hundred junior high school pupils compared notes in a team creative writing exercise.

The young people had come to YSU to exercise their brains at the annual English Festival for junior and senior high school students.

Aly Saleh’s friends told him last year’s English Festival at Youngstown State University was a lot of fun.

The Canfield Village Middle School eighth grader took them at their word and signed up to participate in this year’s 30th anniversary event.

He wasn’t disappointed.

“It’s a great experience. You learn how to work together, and it’s fun,” he said Wednesday, the first day of the three-day event.

Saleh is one of about 800 young people taking part in the festival Wednesday. Some 3,000 are expected to take part over all three days.