Two Newton County School System (NCSS) students brought home first place awards from the recent 2021 Young Georgia Authors Regional Writing Competition! NCSS students’ entries were judged against submissions by students from school systems throughout the Griffin RESA Region, including: Butts, Fayette, Henry, Lamar, Pike, Spalding, and Upson school systems.
Students participating in the contest could submit entries in the form of short stories, poetry, essay, research reports, or other original student writing. Submissions were judged on four domains as reflected in the Georgia Standards of Excellence—ideas, organization, cohesiveness, and language.
Porterdale Elementary School kindergarten student Riiyan McLean earned the first place award in the kindergarten competition with her submission, “My Family” and Victoria Hernandez, of Middle Ridge Elementary, brought home the first place trophy for her work entitled, “The Great Quest.”
Their submissions will now be entered into the state competition. The purpose of the Young Georgia Authors writing competition is to encourage students to develop enthusiasm for and expertise in their writing, to provide a context to celebrate their writing successes, and to recognize student achievement in arts and academics.
“Congratulations to Riiyan and Victoria on a job well done,” said NCSS Superintendent Samantha Fuhrey. “Writing skills are crucial, as the ability to write well can be the ticket to better grades and greater academic achievement. I am proud of them for winning at the regional level and I wish them the very best in the state competition!”