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CONNORVILLE -- Buckeye Local High School seniors Jasmine Yohe and McKenna Dutton, along with sophomore Olivia Takach, will share their creativity and talents during the JustWrite state competition on Thursday at the University of Findlay. The three are members of the school's merit scholars' creative writing team, run by gifted intervention specialist Stephanie Crust. The seniors are varsity members and Takach, a junior member.
The trio will complete three rounds of story-writing activities related to their genre. Each student scored in the top 50 percent of all previous rounds, advancing to state. "They practice weekly, writing short stories of different genres to given prompts," Crust explained. "They enter competitions around the state and attended the JustWrite Ohio regional contest in Dublin on Feb. 10. Eight of our 10 team members competed and three earned first-place honors for the genre in their round. Their work is being considered for publication in the JustWrite anthology and special honors at the state competition."
Yohe said she has enjoyed writing since her freshman year and is happy to be a part of the program. She said she is thrilled to go to state. "There were three different rounds at regionals and we got a genre prompt and had to write a story in 30 minutes," Yohe stated. "There was horror, science fiction and realistic fiction with juniors and seniors on the varsity team and sophomores on the JV team." She said a similar setup was expected at the state event. "I'm excited but a bit nervous."
Dutton enjoys English and creative writing. She is awaiting the chance to go to Findlay, saying, "I love being creative and getting to put my skills to the test at something like state. It's really exciting. I've always had a passion for and have loved writing and had short stories published in the JustWrite anthology." Other members included varsity teammates Cassie Burkhead, Reagan Lengyel, Hailey Kovalski and Bri Sellers and junior member Lizzie Stock.
"I've enjoyed reading their work and am very proud of their growth and accomplishments in writing and taking risks," Crust concluded. "They are not just excellent writers, they are talented kids who excel in sports and many fields. They are all-around wonderful kids and I'm pleased to work with them."