A Festival of Writing 2013 Edition Prize-Winning Essays from the Thirty-Fifth Annual Youngstown State University English Festival Featuring The Thomas and Carol Gay Lecturers Chris Crutcher, Sharon M. Draper, and Nikki Grimes The James A. Houck Lecturer Chris Crowe 7th-9th Grades Thursday, April 18, or Friday, April 19, 2013 10th-12th Grades Wednesday, April 17, 2013 9:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. Kilcawley Center Festival of Writing 2013 Contents Introduction 1 2013 Booklist 1 Candace Gay Memorial Awards 2 First-Prize Essays 2 Second-Prize Essays 6 Third-Prize Essays 10 Williamson Fund Impromptu Prize-Winners 15 First-Prize Essays 15 Second-Prize Essays 17 Third-Prize Essays 19 The Tribune Chronicle Journalism Workshop Prize-Winners 22 First-Prize Articles 22 Second-Prize Articles 26 Third-Prize Articles 29 YSU English Festival Introduction or nearly all of its more than thirty years, the Youngstown State University English Festival Committee has published a collection of the prize-winning Fessays written during each Festival’s activities and competitions. Such a publication is wholly in keeping with the Festival’s stated goal to “rec- 2013 ognize and reward distinctive writing.” It is also a means for publicizing the extraor- dinary work that Youngstown-area students do at the Festival, both in preparing themselves by reading the works on the English Festival booklist and in composing thoughtful and engaging essays before and during the Festival. The essays included in this 2013 edition of A Festival of Writing are no ex- ception. They reflect the excellent language facility of our area’s students, as well as their careful reading and critical thinking. The YSU English Festival Committee congratulates those students whose work appears in these pages, and it commends the parents and teachers who have supported these young writers. Gary Salvner Jeff Buchanan Co-Chairs of the English Festival Committee 2013 Booklist 7th–9th Grades 10th–12th Grades Mississippi Trial, 1955 Getting Away with Murder: The True Story of the Chris Crowe Emmett Till Case* Getting Away with Murder: The True Story of Chris Crowe the Emmett Till Case* Deadline Chris Crowe Chris Crutcher Athletic Shorts King of the Mild Frontier* Chris Crutcher Chris Crutcher King of the Mild Frontier* The Battle of Jericho* Chris Crutcher Sharon M. Draper The Battle of Jericho Copper Sun Sharon M. Draper Sharon M. Draper Fire from the Rock Bronx Masquerade* Sharon M. Draper Nikki Grimes Bronx Masquerade* Dark Sons Nikki Grimes Nikki Grimes * indicates a title common to both levels 1 Festival of Writing 2013 2013 Candace Gay Memorial Essay Contest In 750-1000 total words, respond to the following: Imagine you are a reporter for the YSU English Festival, going on assignment to one of this year’s Festival books. Write at least 3 but not more than 6 journalistic articles to represent the chosen book. Choose at least 3 different genres from among the following: • Feature / Human Interest story • Sports reporting • Editorial / opinion writing • Obituary • Police Blotter story • Humor • Style / fashion writing • Local / Community news First-Prize Essays Wednesday Ciara Irwin Shenango Junior/Senior High School The Douglass Chronicles Community News mented. “I have complete admiration When asked exactly what they were The town of Douglass can feel the for these gentlemen, and I cannot give doing, Freeman swiftly replied, “That’s warmth of giving in the air. The an- enough thanks for all they have done classified.” nual toy drive held by the Douglass for my family.” One noticeable student was Josh High Warriors of Distinction is starting The Warriors will be busy wrapping Prescott, who managed to accessorize again. These young men are thought and sorting toys throughout December his pink shirt with white blotches and of as neighborhood saints to the com- and deliveries will be made on Decem- black specks. munity. The drive is an annual project ber 23rd. On behalf of the community, “I guess I’m not much of a maid!” that brings toys to dozens of local the Warriors of Distinction are undeni- Prescott laughed. “But, hey man, you families. ably venerable young men. don’t need to be squeaky clean to be a “This toy drive is a staple of existence Warrior, right?” to the Warriors,” member Rick Sharp ex- Style and Fashion The other stylish trend seen around plained. “The Warriors represent help- On a trip to Douglass High, one the school was the legendary silk jacket ing those less fortunate than ourselves. will encounter what may only be put as of the Warriors of Distinction. At the end of the day, we just want to “unique” fashion statements. Through- “The jackets symbolize achieve- see our fellow man happy.” out the halls of the scurrying students ment,” Warrior Eddie Mahoney stated. Known for their selflessness and gen- swarms a sea of pink T-shirts, mostly “We go through a lot to become a erosity, the members of the prestigious worn by men. member, and the silk jacket is a reward group are highly regarded in Douglass. “We’re pledges for the Warriors to show diligence and strength.” “It’s comical they’re called ‘War- of Distinction,” student Kofi Freeman When asked what all they “had to riors’, because their ways are so tender clarified. go through” to become a Warrior, Ma- and kind,” one local community mem- “Wearing these shirts symbolizes honey simply stated a familiar answer: ber who benefited from the drive com- who we are and what we do.” “That’s classified.” 2 YSU English Festival Human Interest Story Editorial souls of their peers is an age-old prob- A young man caught under the As a personal opinion on the events lem that a small town like this thought wing of desire and degradation: this that passed recently in Douglass, I ex- would never affect them. describes Jericho Prescott. press my deepest feelings of anger and Clubs that strip children of their Prescott longed for acceptance sorrow. pride and innocence do not deserve and a place of belonging. However, The commandments of these young survival. Douglass High should begin a this goal was taken beyond the point men (or rather boys) to become a War- new group. This group would integrate of humiliation as Prescott agreed rior of Distinction not only humiliate students from all paths of life, have to pledge for the local group, the their peers, but threaten their lives as responsible and present supervisors, Warriors of Distinction. Prescott and well. The hazing that occurred amongst and certainly no suicide attempts to other pledges soon realized that this these Warriors of Anything-But-Distinc- join. group donned the physiognomy of tion is an outrage. Activities like these In particular response to the death righteousness, while covering up that involve scarring on emotional and of Josh Prescott, I also suggest to the unfathomable immorality with a silk psychological levels promote bullying, community the creation of an orga- jacket. violence, and exploitation in our youth nization in Josh’s name to help teens Throughout the past couple months today. It even ended a precious young who struggle with fitting in. A support the Warriors have made pledges ex- life. group like this that rallies our youth ecute embarrassing, painful, and sim- Josh Prescott died Saturday, Janu- in a positive light is highly needed, ply juvenile commands behind closed ary 31st by jumping out of a second and Josh Prescott deserves to be re- doors. story window. All this was an attempt membered. “I just wanted to fit in,” Prescott re- to receive a silk jacket inscribed with If there is one thing that we’ve all counted. “Nobody in my school really “Warriors of Distinction.” learned from this experience it is this: notices me and all I could think about High school is a precious time of en- the true warrior of distinction in this was that fine silk jacket and everybody lightenment. However, students learn world is the one who rejoices where he knowing my name. The worse the more than just math and reading, but already belongs and welcomes others pledge activities got, I just kept thinking cultivate who they are. The advantage into it with open arms. that it’d all be worth it soon.” that students take of the malleable Jericho’s obsessive behavior over becoming a Warrior began to worry his father, Cedric Prescott. “My son was never one to become dependent on anything,” Mr. Prescott explained. “Suddenly it was as if his supreme desire was to become a War- rior. He seemed so temperamental, and didn’t want to listen to any voice that told him to be careful about these activities.” Jericho Prescott’s story illuminates a universal problem for all youth: fitting in is becoming more important than self- discretion. Young people today are so willing to do anything for a sense of be- longing, even incriminating themselves to any degree. As a society, people must work to show adolescents that a feel- ing of belonging isn’t held in the hands of popularity or reputation, but rests solely within their own acceptance of themselves. “If I could, I would take it all back,” Jericho Prescott ended. “All I wanted was to belong somewhere. Now I just wish I could belong with Josh again.” 3 Festival of Writing 2013 Thursday Lily AbiNader Sharpsville Area Middle School Newspaper Articles Based on Athletic Shorts Fashion: Angus’s parting words: “A SMILE is It’s Winter Ball time again, and this always the best accessory!” year, fashion reporter Sandy Smith had the chance to meet with the King Darren Miller of the Winter Ball at Lake Michigan Darren Miller, of Harrisburg, Pennsyl- High School, Angus Bethune.