Young writers from across Bulloch County Schools' four middle schools put their skills to the test at the 39th Annual Nan Rushing Write-off on Saturday, March 15, at Southeast Bulloch High School.
The competition challenges students in eight different grammar and literacy categories: capitalization/punctuation, mental concentration, persuasive speech, narrative writing, persuasive writing, vocabulary, spelling, and usage/language expression. Each student’s score earns points for them individually and for their school’s team.
The competition challenges students in eight different grammar and literacy categories: capitalization/punctuation, mental concentration, persuasive speech, narrative writing, persuasive writing, vocabulary, spelling, and usage/language expression. Each student’s score earns points for them individually and for their school’s team.
An awards ceremony took place after the morning's lively literary showdown. Awards were given to the top two students in each category for sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. The top team for each grade and the overall winning school were also recognized.
The event is sponsored by Barr Law Offices, LLC of Statesboro and coordinated by middle school language arts teachers from across the district.
The write-off was created in 1985 by Nan Rushing, a former English language arts teacher. She started the event with a $1,000 mini-grant from the school district. Now 96 years old, Rushing remains a part of the awards ceremony, continuing to inspire the next generation of writers.
The write-off was created in 1985 by Nan Rushing, a former English language arts teacher. She started the event with a $1,000 mini-grant from the school district. Now 96 years old, Rushing remains a part of the awards ceremony, continuing to inspire the next generation of writers.
These are this year's winners from Southeast Bulloch Middle School (SEBMS), Portal Middle School (PMHS), Langston Chapel Middle School (LCMS), and William James Middle School (WJMS). Photos are above in the gallery.
- Capitalization & Punctuation: Sixth Grade - Grace Choie, 1st, SEBMS; Ava McEachin, 2nd, PMHS; Seventh Grade - Alexander Vicino, 1st, SEBMS; Nancy Watanabe, 2nd, WJMS; Eighth Grade - Rayaunna Hall, 1st, LCMS; Tani Patel, 2nd, SEBMS.
- Mental Concentration: Sixth Grade - Oliver Zhang, 1st, SEBMS; Ethan Bennett, 2nd, PMHS; Seventh Grade - Sadie McGalliard, 1st, WJMS; Lalie NeSmith, 2nd, PMHS; Eighth Grade - Jack Bowen, 1st, LCMS; Daniel Datyvan, 2nd, SEBMS.
- Narrative Writing: Sixth Grade - Davine Chen, 1st, SEBMS; Moriah Phillips, 2nd, WJMS; Seventh Grade - Savanna Schutte, 1st, SEBMS; Marian Robles, 2nd, LCMS; Eighth Grade - Vivienne Lee, 1st, SEBMS; Jemiah Leysath-Ellis, 2nd, PMHS.
- Persuasive Speaking: Sixth Grade - Will Herman, 1st, WJMS; Adaline Kearny, 2nd, LCMS; Seventh Grade - Charliann Thompson, 1st, WJMS; Caleb Moore, 2nd, SEBMS; Eighth Grade - Darshana Shakya, 1st, SEBMS; Noah Williams, 2nd, WJMS.
- Persuasive Writing: Sixth Grade - William Rogers, 1st, SEBMS; Silas Parker, 2nd, SEBMS; Seventh Grade - Charles Erney, 1st, SEBMS; Armani Bunch, 2nd, SEBMS; Eighth Grade - Maddie Williams, 1st, SEBMS; Tabitha Smith, 2nd, LCMS.
- Spelling: Sixth Grade - Ahana Raval, 1st, SEBMS; Peter Anderson, 2nd, SEBMS; Seventh Grade - Levi Swint, 1st, SEBMS; Michelle Cantrell, 2nd, WJMS; Eighth Grade - James Braddock, 1st, WJMS; Daniel Choi, 2nd, SEBMS.
- Usage & Language Expression: Sixth Grade - Oliver Zhang, 1st, SEBMS; Melissa Tookes, 2nd, WJMS; Seventh Grade - Ivy Lacienski, 1st, WJMS; Nancy Watanabe, 2nd, WJMS; Eighth Grade - Luke Pryor, 1st, SEBMS; Jayce Waters, 2nd, PMHS.
- Vocabulary: Sixth Grade - Ethan Bennett, 1st, PMHS; Grace Choi, 2nd, SEBMS; Seventh Grade - Lalie Nesmith, 1st, PMHS; Jaycee Jobba, SEBMS; Eighth Grade - Elijah Simons, 1st, SEBMS; Jacob Skinner, 2nd, LCMS.
- Grade Level & Overall Winners: Southeast Bulloch Middle School was the highest scoring team for each of the three grade levels, and the school won the overall team award, which they have won for at least the last 15 years.
