Congratulations to our 2018 Wordsmith winners! Wordsmith is an annual writing competition hosted by the University of Memphis English Department. It brings 200 middle and high school students from over 30 Memphis-area schools together. “Students compete in writing dashes,” explained faculty sponsor Jannica Gregory. “Each event tests contestants in descriptive, figurative, narrative, expository, and/or persuasive writing.”

This year, WA participants took home awards in almost every category.
Awards given were as follows:
8th Grade:
First Place School Trophy
Individual Winners:
Molly Wallace
First Place for 120-word dash
2nd place for 400-word main event
Gold Medalist Overall

Lainey Turner
Honorable Mention for 40-word dash
3rd place for 400-word main even
Silver Medalist Overall

9th Grade:
Second Place School Trophy
Individual Winner:
Kendall Smith
1st Place for 120-word dash
1st place for 40-word dash
Silver Medalist Overall

10th Grade:
Third Place School Trophy
Individual Winner:
Sarah Gentry
2nd Place for 80-word dash
1st Place for 40-word dash

11th Grade:
First Place School Trophy
Individual Winners:
Gibby Fakes
1st Place for 400-word main event
Honorable Mention for 40-word dash
Silver Medalist Overall

Emily Carney
3rd Place for 120-word dash
3rd Place for 80-word dash

12th Grade:
First Place School Trophy
Individual Winners:
Sophie Tusant
1st Place for 80-word dash
1st Place for 40-word dash
1st Place for 400-word main event
Gold Medalist Overall

Lucy Jones
2nd Place for 400-word main event
3rd Place for 80-word dash
Honorable Mention for 40-word dash
Silver Medalist Overall

“A tremendous showing!” Mr. Janikowsky said, “Everyone should be very pleased with these results.”