Four students were recognized for their writing in Hiram College’s annual High School Writing Contest, sponsored by the Lindsay-Crane Center for Writing and Literature in conjunction with the Community Reading Program, Reflecting on Humans’ Place in the World.
This year’s contest highlighted essays that draw on personal experience, research, and reflection to explore how individuals relate to the world around them. The honorees — Kylee Washington, Samantha Barker, Conner Hunt, and Katelynne Holloway — were recognized for original essays addressing writing, resilience, community, and responsibility.
Kylee Washington ('29) received first place for her essay, “Notebooks,” which centers on journaling and writing as a personal practice. The essay begins by referencing the history of notebooks and journaling before shifting to Washington’s own relationship with writing.
Throughout the piece, Washington describes writing as a private and consistent presence in her life. “Writing was my escape from life, a way to lock myself out of the real world,” she writes, emphasizing the role of writing as a personal outlet rather than a public act. She later reflects on the constancy of that practice, noting, “My notebook was my best friend, always there. From my best days, down to my worst ones too.”
Washington’s essay focuses on how writing helped her learn to articulate thoughts and emotions over time. “Writing entries or short stories helped me learn how to speak my voice,” she writes, describing writing as a way to better understand her own experiences. She concludes by framing writing as a broadly shared human practice, stating, “All writing connects to people in some way.”
Samantha Barker ('26) earned second place for her essay, “The Stars in the Sky,” which blends scientific observation with personal reflection. Barker uses stars and the night sky as a recurring point of reference, connecting astronomy, memory, and perspective.
“Our sky is full of stars,” Barker writes early in the essay, describing them as “the little lights in our sky that keep shining even when we are at our lowest.” The essay references both the physical nature of stars and their long-standing role in human history, including their use in navigation and exploration.
Barker repeatedly returns to the idea of the stars as a source of reassurance. “The stars are there even when we can’t see them, always there like a friend,” she writes, emphasizing continuity and presence. Later, she reflects on the emotional impact of looking at the night sky, noting that stargazing helped her “find peace” and move forward during difficult moments.
The essay concludes by returning to the idea of hope, with Barker’s writing focused on how looking outward can offer perspective. “Stars bring those who look up at them hope,” she writes, reinforcing the essay’s central theme of endurance and guidance.
Conner Hunt ('26) received third place for “Wheelchair Basketball,” an essay that combines historical research with personal experience. Hunt outlines the origins of wheelchair basketball as a rehabilitation activity for World War II veterans before describing its evolution into a competitive sport.
“Wheelchair basketball is a challenging sport, despite what it may seem,” Hunt writes, detailing the physical demands, rules, and training involved. The essay includes historical context, noting the sport’s early development in VA hospitals and its later inclusion in the Paralympic Games.
Hunt also reflects on his own involvement in the sport and the skills he has developed through participation. “Since I started playing wheelchair basketball, I have improved my upper body and core strength,” he writes, adding that the sport helped him build confidence and teamwork skills.
Beyond the physical aspects, Hunt emphasizes the importance of community. “Being part of this team and community has let me know I’m not alone,” he writes, describing the social connections formed through competition and travel. The essay also addresses challenges associated with the sport, including equipment costs and injury risks, before concluding with a reflection on perseverance and adaptability .
Katelynne Holliday ('26) was recognized for Best Essay with a Nature or Sustainability Focus for her essay, “Rescue or Retail.” The piece examines animal adoption, shelter overcrowding, and ethical considerations surrounding breeding.
Holliday incorporates statistics about shelters and euthanasia while also drawing on personal experience with animal rescue. “One decision can change one pet’s life forever,” she writes, emphasizing individual responsibility. The essay challenges readers to consider lifestyle compatibility and long-term commitment when choosing a pet.
Holliday also describes the realities of fostering animals, noting the time and energy involved. “Many may say it’s unhealthy, but I say it’s heartfelt,” she writes, framing rescue work as demanding but meaningful. The essay concludes with a clear stance in favor of adoption, based on both data and lived experience .
The students will be honored during An Evening of Hiram Writers on Wednesday, April 9, at 6:30 p.m., celebrating their work alongside other contest participants and recognizing their contributions to the annual writing program.