Pen powers students to victories

Staff report

NORTH LIMA

About 140 seventh- and eighth-graders from schools in Mahoning and Trumbull counties participated Saturday in the Power of the Pen writing competition at South Range Middle School.

The top three winners and top three schools in each grade, as well as Vindicator Excellence award-winners, were:

Eighth-graders: Hanna Michelle, Holy Family School, first; Taryn Rothbauer, Canfield Village Middle School, second; and Erin Goebel, Champion Middle School, third.

Top grade eight schools: West Branch Middle School, first; St. Charles School, second; South Range Middle School, third.

Seventh-graders: Chloe Housteau, Holy Family School, first; Lydia Walls, Howland Middle School, second; and Alex Stoneman, St. Charles School, third.

Top grade seven schools: Howland Middle School, first; Canfield Middle School, second; Holy Family School, third.

Vindicator Excellence in Writing Awards: Chloe Housteau, Holy Family School, and Marissa Martin, Howland Middle School.

Power of the Pen is a statewide program, now in its 29th year, that strives to enhance excellence in creative writing among students.