Trenton Strickland, student at Joseph Martin Elementary, won first place in the Liberty County School System, part of the Young Georgia Author writing competition.

The first grader’s story, “A Pencil’s Life,” proceeded to win first place at the First District RESA level and honorable mention at state.

The competition was started to encourage students to develop enthusiasm for and expertise in their writing. It has been engaging Georgia students for more than two decades and is open to any student enrolled in Georgia public schools, grades K -12. 

The competition is co-sponsored by the Georgia Department of Education and the Georgia Council of Teachers of English. Entries may include short stories, poetry, essays, research reports, personal narratives and original writing.

Other system level winners for their grade levels were: Bailey Young, kindergarten, Frank Long Elementary Livie Church, second grade, Waldo Pafford Elementary Jordan Johnson, third grade, Taylors Creek Elementary Brayden Bremer, fourth grade, Taylors Creek Leigh Ann Farmer, fifth grade, Liberty Elementary, Asialynn McCall, sixth grade, Midway Middle Andrew Norton, seventh grade, Midway Middle Sierra Maryland, eighth grade, Midway Middle Lila Steele, ninth grade, Bradwell Institute Katherine Lopez, tenth grade, Bradwell Allison Boyle, eleventh grade, Bradwell Cheyenne Waller, twelfth grade, Bradwell.