Chardon Middle School seventh-grade student Abrielle Allen competed in Power of the Pen’s Lake Erie Region District 1 Tournament...
Writer Advances to Regionals
Chardon Middle School seventh-grade student Abrielle Allen competed in Power of the Pen’s Lake Erie Region District 1 Tournament hosted virtually by Lake Erie College on Jan. 8. During the tournament’s Jan. 23 virtual awards ceremony, Allen was announced as one of 12 individual award winners in her grade level, placing ninth among 50 Lake Erie Region seventh-grade competitors and thereby earning her a medallion. By placing in the top 12, Allen earns a spot in the Lake Erie Regional Tournament on March 5.
Through Power of the Pen, students engage in interscholastic writing tournaments and are provided with a platform for publication. The Power of the Pen Lake Erie Region division comprises several schools from Geauga, Ashtabula, Lake, southeastern Cuyahoga and northern Summit counties.
Chardon’s Power of the Pen team is advised by CMS fifth-grade teacher Shannon Monsman.
Orator Qualifies for States
Chardon High School sophomore Charlotte Jons, the sole member of the Hilltopper speech and debate team, is advancing to the Ohio Speech and Debate Association’s State tournament for the second consecutive year. Jons’ strong finish in the Program Oral Interpretation event at the OSDA Cleveland District tournament held virtually on Feb. 5 paved the way for her road back to states.
On the weekend of Feb. 19 she competed in a national qualifying tournament, which was her last big competition before the state tournament. The state competition will be held March 4-5 at Wooster High School.
As one of only seven students from the Cleveland area competing in the state tournament, Jons will be one of 50 students from Ohio competing in the POI event.
Jons has created a POI program that she performs by combining prose and poetry around a central theme. Her program explores the unique challenges that women face as athletes.
“I’m very excited to be going to states again,” said Jons. “I had so much fun last year even though it was virtual. This year has been so fun, especially with the world starting up again and in-person tournaments — like this state tournament — becoming possible and safe.”
Dance Team Back in Action
After a hiatus, the Chardon dance team is back in action this school year. As a club sport, there are 14 dancers in grade levels eight through 12 who worked hard in a short amount of time after winter break to be ready for halftime at the boys’ varsity basketball games this season. The dance team is coached by two adult volunteers, while Chardon High School senior Samantha Brown and sophomore Rebecca Fullerman serve as co-captains.
“The team is a wonderful example of collaboration between students and the community,” said Rebecca’s mom, Elizabeth Fullerman. “Buckeye Custom Tees designed a hoodie with quick turnaround and sold the apparel to team members at a discount. Geauga Family YMCA allows the team to practice at their facility free of charge. And we appreciate Chardon athletics director Doug Snyder for his encouragement and support and Geauga-TV for capturing team and action photos of the dance team at the Feb. 5 boys varsity basketball home game.”
