Winners of the recent Young Christian Writers Contest, Ryley Bentz (above left) and Scarlett Cooper (above right, receiving award from Amy Thornton)  received their awards by earning the highest composite score for their entries in the Open Poetry Competition. The two winners were designated according to their respective age group. 

The contest was open for residents of West Virginia ages 11-18 years old.  The entries could be in any poetic style as long as it was related to their Christian faith. Scarlett Cooper, 17, of Daniels won with her reflective entry titled, "The Voice That God Gave Me" and Ryley Bentz, 14, of Kingwood earned the top score in her age group with a thoughtful entry, "World Without a Maker?" 

The poems were scored based on a rubric including 10 elements: 1) Beauty, Power, Education or Entertainment 2) Message & Interest 3) Technical Excellence 4) Rhyme and/or Meter 5) Assonance and Alliteration 6) Form & Flow 7) Choice of Words & Readability 8) Overall Impact 9) Originality and 10) Adherence to Contest Rules.  The winners were determined by the highest cumulative score by a panel of four judges.  

Both students are homeschooled and enjoy the freedom and creativity of artistic expression in many forms aside from writing.  Ryley enjoys drawing and playing guitar as well as creating her own jewelry, with hopes of turning it into a small business.  Scarlett is involved with Theater West Virginia and also has a role in an upcoming production of Frozen with the Beckley Children's Theater Ministry. 

Both ladies received an Ignite Teen Study Bible, a book of poetry with respect to their age group and $50 cash.   You can read their award winning entries here.  

The next Young Christian Writers Contest will be announced on May 1, 2024.