The 2023 Virginia Young Writers Competition was a THS hit! THS managed to grasp 14 winning places out of 15 at the county level in high school submissions. These winners advanced to the regional level, and THS managed to obtain 7 winners out of all the regional categories. We all know these seniors have talent but let’s get to know why they love writing so much! 

Caitlyn Childress won third place at the school level for both poetry and short fiction and won first place for short fiction at regionals. She wrote about a girl who had split personality and was being interrogated for the murder of several people. Caitlyn has a real passion for writing, and she plans to continue her passion through her academics and future career. “Writing has always been something I love to do. I use it to vent my emotions, and it has helped me through tough times in my life,” said Childress.

Heidi Ellis won first place at the school level for essays and won third place for essays at regionals. Essay writers were given a quote by Soren Kierkegaard: “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forward.” Writers were given three prompts to choose from and were told to defend the quote. 

Caroline Kirby won second place at the school level and won third place at regionals for her category, short fiction. Her fictional story consists of a dead man and how he is a ghost for his own obituary. He finds out that his family only used him for their own personal gain and selfish needs and never truly loved him. Kirby stated this, “It’s another outlet for ideas and emotions. It helps me put my own ideas that I can’t put into other things into my own words.”

Lucas Walker won first place at the school level and won second place at regionals for his category, short fiction. His story was about a bomber pilot who is struggling in his decision whether to drop a bomb or not. Walker said this about writing, “Overall It’s just fun. I like to use what I learn in class and put it towards my work as a whole.”

Sophia Barker won first place at the school level and won third place at regionals for her category, poetry. Her poetry collection, “Out Damned Spot,” consisted of personal statements from multiple characters from the Shakespeare play Macbeth. Barker used the characters Lady Macbeth, Lady MacDuff, Macbeth, Banquo, and Hecate’s. Barker said this about literature, “I have always loved writing, especially poetry, it’s a way to get statements and feelings across without directly telling someone. It’s a good way to help people.”

Leara Slattery tied in second place at the school level and placed first at regionals for her category, essays. Essay writers were given a quote by Soren Kierkegaard: “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” Writers were given three prompts to choose from and were told to defend the quote. Slattery said this about writing, “I’m actually not that big of a writer but Mrs. Nester really helped me find a liking for literature and reading as a whole.”

Haylee Hines won second place at the school level and won first place at the regional level for her category, poetry. Her poetry collection, fittingly titled “Mumbles,” focused on the unspoken thoughts of her as an individual. These spoke to how she thinks about the circumstances of those around her, and a third person point of view that shows the individuality of thought. Her inspiration for writing is fueled by her personal need to think out loud. “I like to write down my thoughts. It helps me not say them out loud. And, if someone can relate to what I write, I did something special,” said Hines. 

Freshman through junior young writer winners also have a love for literature. You can see the rest of the senior regional winners and the underclassmen winners in this Trojan Messenger article!