The Dayton Kiwanis recently honored 8th grade Power of the Pen writer Liliane (Lili) Kiewitz of the Montessori School of Dayton with the Randy Kramer Award for Writing Excellence.

Given in memory of Randy Kramer, a longtime Dayton Kiwanis member and fervent supporter of Power of the Pen, the award is presented annually to the top 8th grade writer at the district tournament serving Montgomery County.

The club welcomed Lili, her mother Sarah Kiewitz, and Power of the Pen Executive Director Barb Tschantz to its April 19 meeting. Lili read her tournament piece "I'm Fine," written in response to the prompt "Goosebumps suddenly appeared on your arms. Why?" The group was impressed with the piece's vivid first-person portrayal of a panic attack.

The Dayton Kiwanis also recognized Brittasha Thompson and Bridget Hughes of Tippecanoe Middle School as outstanding teachers for 2022, though these coaches could not be present at the meeting. At the meeting, the Dayton Kiwanis presented executive director Barb Tschantz with a generous donation to support these awards, the district tournament serving Montgomery County, and the program in general.