Middle schoolers receive writing awards

HALL COUNTY - Middle school students from across Hall County were recently honored for their writing skills.

Each middle school was given the opportunity to submit what they considered to be the best pieces of student writing in the categories of short story and poetry. Winners in 6th, 7th and 8th grades were selected by a panel of judges consisting of Dr. Tanya Bennett, Dr. Sally Krisel and Mrs. Tracey Kell.

Hundreds of entries were submitted in the competition, according to organizers.

A prize patrol surprised the student winners at their schools Thursday with balloons and gift cards from education partner Best Buy. First place winners received $50 gift cards.

The winners and their teachers are listed below.

6th SS

1 Julia Veiga My Best Friend
David Middle Mrs. Hart

2 Joy Cook Whisper
Chestatee Academy Mrs. Clemmons

3 Rosemary Schofield Heidy
North Hall Middle Mrs. Haynes

6th Poems

1 Sofia Savas Rain
Chestatee Academy Mrs. Clemmons

2 Larissa Magana Be You
South Hall Middle Mrs. Curtis

3 Madison Pierce Life
North Hall Middle Mrs. Haynes

7th SS

1 Lindsey Brock Following the Wild
South Hall Middle Mr. Smith


2 Kinsey Poland Guilt Ain't Got a Name
DaVinci Academy Mrs. Haymore

3 Savanna Knotts A Night at Home Alone
Davis Middle Mrs. Shaw

HM Natalie McNitt Bedtime Story
Chestatee Academy Mrs. Hood

HM Betty Matei My Nightmare
DaVinci Academy Mrs. Haymore

7th Poems

1 Kayla Krauth Song of the Sea
Chestatee Academy Mrs. Hood

2 Arisebel Savcedo The Consumption of Your Soul
South Hall Middle Mr. Smith

3 Edgar Garcia I Am
Chestatee Academy Mrs. Hood

HM Selena Fereira I Am From (Gumballs)
East Hall Middle Mrs. Van Gelderen

HM Andrew Hathcock I Thimk My Program Hates Me
DaVinci Academy Mrs. Haymore


8th SS

1 Haven Clippinger A Different Childhood
DaVinci Academy Ms. Patterson

2 Jennilee Steinmann Exploration & Discovery
North Hall Middle Mrs. Smith

3 Kaitlin Threlkeld Escape Into the Woods
DaVinci Academy Mrs. Patterson

HM Brianna Truett Angel
Chestatee Academy Mrs. Hood

HM Hugo Garcia Snaphot 411
Davis Middle Ms. Wehrle


8th Poems

1 Dayton Hare Pygmalion's Genesis
DaVinci Ms. Patterson

2 Jessie Motes Emily Bronte
North Hall Middle Mrs. Mellette

3 Brooke Balenger Hot July Days at Jay Bird Springs
DaVinci Ms. Patterson

HM Chris Bellows War
North Hall Middle Mrs. Mellette

HM Jake Parrish A Forgotten World
East Hall Middle Ms. Godwin