Roane County student honored for writing skills
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SPENCER -- Samara Looney, a seventh-grade student at Geary Elementary Middle School in Roane County, won second place in grades seven and eight for her entry "Once Upon a Biography" in the West Virginia Young Writers Contest.
Looney's story is about a girl with a special power to bring her book characters to life. Connie Index, the main character, has a conversation with Alexander Hamilton as she is writing and preparing a history essay about Hamilton, making history come to life.
Looney has a love for writing and was thrilled to learn that her essay won first place at the county level, earning her the right to compete at the state level. She was even more excited when told she had won second place from among all entries in her division, and would be honored on West Virginia Young Writers Day for her achievements.
"I was surprised that I got this far," said Looney. "I was just planning on getting an 'A' for Miss (Staci) Moore's English class. I never dreamed my essay would go this far, but I am very thankful it did."
West Virginia Young Writers Day recognizes students in grades 1-12 whose entries placed first, second or third in the contest. Cash prizes are awarded to students that place.
Looney also will spend the day in writing workshops with writers Marc Harshman, Nancy Kelly and Gwenda Bond, among others.
She is a student in Staci Moore's English class.