First annual high school writing contest offers chance for scholarship

A group of writers, hopeful of launching their career with a partial Rowan scholarship, will share some of their best work at the University’s first annual high school writing contest this Friday.

Hosted by the Department of Writing Arts, the contest will award monetary prizes and an Emerging Writers Scholarship to the overall winner. The contest, from 7 to 8:45 p.m., in the Rowan University Art Gallery, 301 W. High Street, will feature students from New Jersey and Philadelphia school districts in a showcase of work including academic writing, creative nonfiction, fiction and poetry/spoken word.

Dr. Amy Reed, an associate professor in the Department of Writing Arts within the Ric Edelman College of Communication & Creative Arts, said Rowan faculty invited twelve students – the top three finalists to submit writing samples in each of the four categories – and their families to attend.

“In holding this contest, we’re further establishing Rowan as a place where a lively writing culture thrives, from genre fiction to poetry to children's picture books to science writing,” Reed said. “We were excited to read such interesting, varied and skilled writing from many of our participants.” 

Participating students attend Archbishop Ryan High School (Philadelphia), Cherokee High School (Marlton), Cumberland Regional High School (Bridgeton), Eastern Regional High School (Voorhees), Northern Burlington County Regional High School (Columbus), Triton Regional High School (Runnemede), West Caldwell School of Technology and Woodstown High School.

Department of Writing Arts faculty, including Reed, Ron Block, Heather Lanier, Cherita Harrell and Megan Atwood, read contest entries as did several Writing Arts undergraduates and interns.