Lakewood Middle School Students Dominate Regional Power of the Pen Tournament

Academic teams rarely receive the same kind of popularity and attention that athletic squads enjoy.

It takes an extraordinary effort, which is precisely what the writing team put forth last Saturday when they dominated the Power of the Pen regional competition at Saint Joseph Academy. 

The seventh- and eighth-grade teams took first and second, respectively, at the tournament, collectively earning them the coveted Sweepstakes Award — a trophy given to only one school that holds the best combined rankings from districts and regionals, said. 

The next and final step is states at the College of Wooster, where the Harding team — plus a handful of students who won individual honors — will go to compete against the top 700 students from around Ohio on May 27. 

“With our success, we’ve created quite the following in the district,” Pangrace said. “It’s very exciting because it isn’t often that a writing team would attract so much attention, but in light of the standout achievement of the students, it’s easy to see why.” 

“Lakewood city school really supports the needs of gifted kids and these students are encouraged and nurtured by the district from a very young age, which contributes to their passion and skill for writing and reading,” Pangrace added. 

State Qualifiers: 

Garfield, Grade 7:

 Allie Donegan 

Garfield, Grade 8:

Sara Shyte

Carleigh Spence 

Garfield Coach:

Barb Lynch

Harding, Grade 7:

Amanda Cabot

Veronica Gordon

Zak Inak

Jonny Latsko

Tess Moran

Jimmy Toner

Harding, Grade 8:

Renee Klann

Maggie Pizzo

Sarah Smith

Erin Turner

Kathryn Urban

Harding Coaches:

Ruth Pangrace

Pam Sheils