Lenon Hodge, 13, of Hurricane, WV accepted his award for winning the second Young Christian Writers Contest in front of the Fayette County Courthouse on November 24, 2023. 

The new writing competition, sponsored by the Fayette County Prayer Group, is for Christian Youth of West Virginia.  It began this summer and, in this competition, challenged students from 11-14 years of age to answer the question, "How have you let your light shine for Christ?" in one-thousand words or less. 

The contest was free to enter and required students to adhere to a strict set of guidelines.  Multiple entries were received and the final scoring was very close in this contest.  The entries were scored using a rubric by a panel of three judges based on five elements:  1) Understanding of the topic 2) Original thinking relative to the topic 3) Adherence to contest rules 4) Effectiveness in presenting a point-of-view and 5) Literary style, grammar and spelling.  The composite scores were then added together for each entrant to determine the winner. 

Lenon attends Hurricane Middle School and is an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) there, which includes nearly three-hundred students. Speaking at FCA meetings as well as helping to lead his youth group at New Life Church in Huntington, provides singular occasions to shine his light for Christ.

His thoughtful composition encapsulates the unique opportunities -and challenges- he's had in sharing his Christian witness with others.  For earning the top score, Lenon received an NIV teen study bible as well as $100 cash.

The next Young Christian Writers Contest will take place this winter.  It will be an open poetry competition.  Follow the Writers Contest page for developing details.