The Madison County School Board held a creative writing contest recently. Students from local schools gathered to participate, with grades K-8 as well as ninth and 12th grade participating. Each student's story had been delivered to their teachers in the middle of April and then the judging began.
In kindergarten, Kamari Maxwell of Greenville Elementary School (GES) presented her story, “Ballerina.” Hunter Kelley of Pinetta Elementary School (PES) presented his story, “The Knight and the Golden Sword.” With his story, “The Cowboy, the Horse and the Pig,” Tucker McCormick represented the kindergarten class of Lee Elementary School (LES). Madison County Central School (MCCS) student Kyiser Thomas was the winner of the kindergarten through second grade division, as well as the first place winner for his grade level for her story, “My Weekend at Grandma's House.” Jarrett Pickels of MCCS won second place in the kindergarten grade level for his story, “The Hotel Fire.”
Natalee Mask of GES won first place for first grade for her story, “The Adventures of Summer and Willowby.” Jo Blanton of PES went over the fundamentals of being a good friend with the story, “How Can I Be a Good Friend?” April Richardson of LES won second place for her story, “Butterflies and Friends.” Anna Bell and Jonah Adams, both of MCCS, presented stories with the theme “When I Grow Up.”
In the second grade category, Samaya Baynard of GES came in first place for a story about Greenville Elementary School. Alyssa Oakes of PES presented a story called “My Friend the Flying Monkey” and Christin Patterson of LES won second place for “Sam and the Dragons.” Hayden Eger of MCCS told a story about a trip to Alaska, while Vincent Sanders of MCCS presented his story, “Powers of Vincent Sanders.”
In third grade, Hafitha Ayyad of GES presented her story, “Benissia's and Jessia's Super Powers.” Tyler Ward of LES won first place for his story, “Penny the Farm Dog” while Lydia Barnes of PES won second place in the third grade category for her story, “My Cat Keke.” Jaidyn Wesley of MCCS presented a story titled “The Superstar Magic.” Joey Pennington of MCCS presented his story, “A Good School” in the third grade category.
In the fourth grade category, Caleb Raines of PES presented his story, “The Curse of the Baseball Field.” Daisy Contreras of LES won first place for the fourth grade and was the third through fifth grade division winner for her story, “The Forbidden Island.” MCCS student Addison Jacob, presented a story on mermaids, while MCCS student Anna Meyer's story revolved around angels in disguise.
Sa'Riyah Murray of GES was the first place winner in the fifth grade category for “The Forest of Nickleback.” Jack Agee of PES presented his story, “Attack of the Androids” and Ethan Myers of LES presented “Maze of Surprise.” “The Magical Drawing” was MCCS student Wendy Cruz's story. Kennedy Cobb of MCCS won second place for “The Dream.”
The sixth grade creative writers all came from MCCS; Rachael Peavy won first place and was declared a winner in the sixth through eighth grade division for her story, “Bigfoot.” Mattie Barnes won second place for her story, “The Traveling Kitten.” Olivia Galbraith presented her story, “Shoe Life.”
In seventh grade, students from MCCS presented their stories. Ah'Zeria Francis won first place for her story, “A Basketball Promise.” Autumn Raulerson's story, “Dark Forests,” won second place. Matthe Gassler presented his story, “A Dangerous Mission.”
For the eighth grade category, Abigail Douglas of MCCS won first place for her story, “Saved.” Whitney Hicks of Madison County Excel won second place for her story with the theme, “I Am Special Because...” Cordell Ferguson of MCCS presented a story called “Living with LaSage.” With her story, “Soulmates,” Jazzlyn Jones also represented MCCS.
In ninth grade, Kylie Duarte of MCCS won first place for her story with the theme “I Am Special Because...”
Marianna Barron of Madison County High School won first place in 12th grade for her story with the theme “I Am Special Because...” Barron also was the ninth through 12th grade division winner.