Marshall celebrates young writers with annual contest

Marshall University’s June Harless Center and partners celebrated exceptional young writers from grades 1-12 at the annual West Virginia Young Writers Contest, recognizing statewide winners with awards, medals, and writing workshops with published authors.

News Release
May 9, 2025

The Central West Virginia Writing Project has joined with the West Virginia Department of Education, the University of Charleston and Marshall University’s June Harless Center in hosting the West Virginia Young Writers Contest, celebrating talented writers in elementary school through high school throughout the state.

The contest was founded in 1984 as part of a commitment to writing in all subjects, as well as publishing, displaying and celebrating students’ writing. Students in first through 12th grade were invited to submit entries in fiction, nonfiction, narrative, memoir or essay. First-place winners in each county advanced to a state-level competition.

Statewide and county winners were recognized at Young Writers Day May 2 and given the opportunity to participate in workshops with local published West Virginia authors.

They were selected by a panel of certified West Virginia teachers, who scored entries based on traits of effective writing such as ideas, organization, voice, word choice and writing conventions. All winners also demonstrated exceptional creativity and mastered the art of storytelling.

“The West Virginia Young Writers Contest has honored excellent writing by our state’s students for over 40 years,” said Maggie Luma, director of the Young Writers Contest and chief of staff at Marshall’s June Harless Center. “Having an event like Young Writers Day celebrates the amazing talent of our students and gives them a platform for their writing to be heard. I can’t think of a better way to recognize the hard work and masterful storytelling of our youngest writers than by inviting them to a beautiful venue like the University of Charleston and putting their work on public display.

“I hope that by hearing from published West Virginia authors in intimate workshop settings at the event and by being recognized on stage for their accomplishments, students leave Young Writers Day inspired to continue writing.”

First-place state winners receive $100, second-place state winners receive $50 and third-place state winners receive $25. All county-level winners are recognized at the event and are awarded a medal and a certificate for being the first-place winners in their local county.

2025 State Winners

Grades 1-2

First place — Jeweliana Davis of St. Mary’s Grade School in Harrison County for “Dolphins’ Valentine’s Day Party. Teacher: Christine Monell
Second place — Jacob Treu of West Virginia Academy for “Magical Journey. ” Teacher: Rose Jefferys
Third place — Genevieve Fleming of Village of Barboursville Elementary School in Cabell County for “Sparkle’s Adventure.” Teacher: Rhonda Dement

Grades 3-4

First place — Jett Reesman of East Dale Elementary in Marion County for “The Icicle.” Teacher: Becky Nichols
Second place — Amelia Adkins of Harts PK-8 School in Lincoln County for “Beach Days.” Teacher: Jackie McCann
Third place — Zuri Alford of Glen Dale Elementary in Marshall County for “Sunflowers.” Teacher: Aimee Neely

Grades 5-6

First place — Alyssa Roldan of Mullens Middle School in Wyoming County for “They Didn’t Notice.” Teacher: Taylor Shrewsbury
Second place — Alyvia Barb of Mountaineer Middle School in Monongalia County for “Coffee Shop Travels.” Teacher: Jody Groves
Third place — Elaine Casenelli of Wirt County Middle School for “No Way Out.” Teacher: Sarah Harris

Grades 7-8

First place — Camryn Lowther of South Harrison Middle School in Harrison County for “1915.” Teacher: Sarah Totten
Second place — Lorie McKinney of Mountain View Christian School in Fayette County for “Breaking the Echo.” Teacher: Meghan Bennett
Third place — Duncan Bishop of John Adams Middle School in Kanawha County for “Dreams of Heaven.” Teacher: Emily Thayer

Grades 9-10

First place — Raegan Feury of Nicholas County High School for “Wires for Veins.” Teacher: Cara Dorsey
Second place — Kairi Thornburg of Oak Glen High School in Hancock County for “Omnipotence.” Teacher: Joleigh Sollars
Third place — Joanna Dong of Bridgeport High School in Harrison County for “Just Maddie.” Teacher: Amy Lohmann

Grades 11-12

First place — Ryan Johns of Independence High School in Raleigh County for “Six Roses for Graduation.” Teacher: Milena Belcher
Second place — Ashley Mendez of Greenbrier East High School, Greenbrier County for “The Man-Eater.” Teacher: Celia Moore
Third place — Caspen McKone of Keyser High School in Mineral County for “What Makes Us Alive.” Teacher: Carrie Rotruck