St. Joseph School in Randolph recently participated in the Ohio Power of the Pen Interscholastic Writing Competition Program for young writers. The tournament was held at James A. Garfield Middle School on January 16. Students from St. Joseph who participated in this district competition were: 8th Grade students Malinda Baer, Steven Pavliga, Susan Stalter, Lauren Wise; and 7th Grade students Sabrina Didado, Nicole Henderson, Hunter Horning, Kyle Knapp, Leah Martin, Macie Whittlesey, and Greg Moore.

Julie Vesely, fifth grade teacher and writing coach, worked with a small group of seventh and eighth grade students from St. Joe's. For weeks leading up to the tournament, the students worked hard to prepare for the competition. They attended after-school practice sessions two days a week. During these sessions, the students worked on their creative writing skills and wrote responses to practice writing prompts in 40-minute time periods. "As their writing coach, I have enjoyed seeing the students' creative writing abilities and was excited for them to demonstrate their talents at the tournament". "The program provides the school an opportunity to showcase the various writing talents that its students hold. In addition, the program allows the teachers to strengthen the writing skills of all the students in an exciting and fun way" stated Vesely.

At the District Tournament, Susan Stalter, eighth grade student, received the first place trophy for the Eighth Grade Level and will move on to represent St. Joseph school in the Regional competition.

The Power of the Pen Program is designed specifically for 7th and 8th grade students and is in its 25th year. It is an interscholastic writing program that provides students with the opportunity to express their creative writing talent and write under pressure. A small group of seventh and eighth graders from St. Joe's was selected to participate in the District tournament, where they competed against students from 11 other schools. At the tournament, the students wrote in 40-minute rounds against five other opponents from different schools. Following the district tournament, some students are selected to go on to participate in the Regional Tournament. For more information on the Power of the Pen Program, visit their website at www.powerofthepen.org.

St. Joseph School provides a comprehensive Christian-based curriculum for grades K-8 with opportunities for Advanced Math and Accelerated Reader. In addition, the school offers Spanish, beginner and advanced band, participation in sports teams as well as Scouting and before/after school care. The school has a small student/teacher ratio and children from all religious backgrounds are welcome. St. Joseph School offers busing from area public school districts such as: Ravenna, Rootstown, Waterloo, Field, and Lake. St. Joseph Catholic School, in partnership with the Church, community and family, strives to provide a quality education in an atmosphere of Catholic Christian teachings and values. Its goal is to promote the spiritual, academic, social, emotional, and physical excellence of our students. St. Joseph's School is historically known to have Alumni who have earned National Honors Scholars, National Honors Society, and High School Valedictorians. For more information, visit www.stjoerandolph.org or call the school office at 330.628.9555

Pictured is the St. Joe Power of the Pen team and fifth grade teacher and coach, Julie Vesely.