RUHS Writers
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UVM Contest

These three RUHS students each won the regional writing award for their ages in the UVM Writing Contest. From left are Martin Schwartz, Michaela Blow, and Chelsea Rose Sargent. (Herald photo / Bob Eddy)

For the past twenty years, the University of Vermont has sponsored an annual Vermont Competition for Excellence in Writing program. Several times during that period, a Randolph Union High School student has earned recognition for making it past the regional competition and on to state level. And one year, student Alicia Poulin earned herself $500 for her talent by placing at the state level.

But this year is historic, as RUHS is home to three of the four possible regional winners. Martin Swartz captured the senior honors, Chelsea Rose Sargent is the regional winner for juniors, and Michaela Blow took home the prize for the freshmen.

What this means is that all three students will trek to UVM on Wednesday, May 25. While there as guests of the University, they will write two more essays. While they take the afternoon off for shopping or sunbathing, a team of high school writing teachers will convene to read their essays and to choose this year’s state winners. That evening, the university hosts a banquet in honor of all the writers, and the winners are announced.

"This is amazing news," said local coordinator Charlie McMeekin. "This year’s writing prompt was unusual, in that it stressed creativity more than a formulaic approach to writing. The English department here has always felt we worked to encourage creative writers, and this would support such a claim."

McMeekin pointed out that the prizes at the state level are significant, including $5000 for the first place senior prizewinner.

The UVM writing prize is anonymously sponsored and supported by a Vermonter who wanted to encourage the teaching of writing in Vermont high schools.