High School Writing Competition

What is the High School Writing Competition?

The High School Writing Competition is sponsored annually by the Department of English at Arkansas State University.

High school students in grades 11 and 12 are allowed to participate in this competition.

First, second, and third place winners will be judged for each category and level.

All winners will receive award certificates and be published on the A-State English Department website.
Each first-place winner will receive a $ Barnes and Noble gift certificate.

2026 marks the 37^th year of the competition. Click the link above to view our 2026 competition winners and read their work.

2025 Winners

First place: Deven Isbell, Nettleton High School. Teacher: Casey Harris.
- TITLE: "Confronting Morality: Dreams and Survival in The Road"
Second place: Traceekiniya Rogers, Nettleton High School. Instructor: James Bittle.
- TITLE: "The Importance of Perseverance"
Third place: Kaylie Arell, The Academies at Jonesboro High School. Instructor: Camryn Brown.
- TITLE: "Untitled"

First place: Kaylee Tribble, Highland High School. Teacher: Suzanne Wallace.
- TITLE: "A Hero's Lesson"
Second place: Paetin Jennings, Bay High School. Teacher: Kalina Smith.
- TITLE: "A Place in Time"
Third place: Deven Isbell, Nettleton High School. Teacher: Shawn Watson.
- TITLE: "The Uncoiling"

First place: Destiny Shaw, The Academies at Jonesboro High School. Teacher: Meredith Baine.
- TITLE: "A Gut Punch in History"
Second place: Sadie Marie Manley, Highland High School. Teacher: Suzanne Wallace.
- TITLE: "Untitled"
Third place (tied): Ella Grace Lewis, The Academies at Jonesboro High School. Teacher: Nicole LaCount.
- TITLE: "Taking a Leap of Faith"
Third place (tied): Easton McDaniel, The Academies at Jonesboro High School. Teacher: Meredith Baine.
- TITLE: "Never Forget"

First place: Abby Collums, Bay High School. Teacher: Kalina Smith.
- TITLE: "Moonlight Confessions"
Second place: Sophia De Lucena, The Academies at Jonesboro High School. Teacher: Katie Hamilton.
- TITLE: "Growing Up"
Third place (tied): Ashley Allen, Cave City High School. Teacher: Amanda Kazzee.
- TITLE: "Dark Cedar Eyes"
Third place (tied): Kinzie McDowell, Nettleton High School. Teacher: Gabrielle Fife.
- TITLE: "Untitled"

2024 Winners

First place: Makayla Cross 11^th grade, Greene County Tech High School. Teacher: Meredith Baine.
- TITLE: “Following the Leader”

First place: Jo Mitchell, 12^th grade, Paragould High School. Teacher: Kelli Rollins-Stidham.
- TITLE: “mirror boy”
Second place: Jaelunn “Mars” White, 12^th grade, Jonesboro High School. Teacher: Katie Hamilton.
- TITLE: untitled
Third place: Allie Carson, 12^th grade, Jonesboro High School. Teacher: Nicole LaCount.
- TITLE: untitled

First place: Paetin Jennings, 11^th grade, Bay High School. Teacher: Kalina Smith.
- TITLE: “Metamorphosis”
Second place: Alahna Sampson, 12^th grade, Highland High School. Teacher: Julie Sandy
- TITLE: untitled
Third place: Chandle Davis, 12^th grade, Paragould High School. Teacher: Kelli Rollins-Stidham
- TITLE: “Garden Rose”