Tom Stafford, Staff Writer, Springfield News-Sun
Below, I spell out the reasons I support Power of the Pen as an outstanding vehicle for encouraging young people to develop the skill and artfulness of their writing. First, though, I want to quantify my support for the program. The unit of measure I’ve chosen is the year: I been involved as a volunteer best-of-round judge for more than 30 years. To those 30-plus years, I’ll add a multiplier: In almost every one of them, I’ve judged a tournament each at the district and the regional levels. It was all time I would spend again in the same way.
Nor was I alone during that time. Not only have stalwart leaders continued their dedication to Power of the Pen, but each year, teacher-, parent-, and student-volunteers have stepped forward to help and community groups have supported the tournaments by funding the purchase of medallions and trophies deserving writers take home. In funding decisions, the issue of sustainable often arises. This kind of volunteer support is a solid indicator.
I’m sure I’m preaching to the choir in mentioning the degree to which the support of programs like Power of the Pen helps to provide balance by rewarding youth whose writing skills so often go unrecognized in a society that overvalues sports. The smiles on the faces of those who come forward to receive their rewards show the effect of that support. Added to that is the camaraderie obvious among team members who grow into a community supportive of one another throughout the school year.
One thing I am reminded about every time I judge a tournament is the remarkable progress made by writers who begin as seventh grade competitors and continue through the eighth grade level. As band and orchestra parents know, the amount of development middle school students can make in a single year is striking. Encouragement offered to students at this age is crucial in helping them to make quantum leaps of which they are capable.
Finally, as a writer who worked as a full-time journalist for just short of 40 years and who enjoys writing enough to continue part-time in my retirement, I really do marvel at what seventh- and eighth-graders can produce in the 40 minutes allotted to compose an essay on a topic just given to them. Many of the children in Power of the Pen tournaments are far more skilled writers than I was at their age, and I truly consider them to be my colleagues.
Please support Power of the Pen in its efforts to encourage young writers to reach their potential both as writers and as people.