EDITOR’S NOTE: THE KNOX WRITING CONTEST IS POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Since 2015, Waynesburg University has hosted the John C. Knox Writing Contest. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the event was unable to happen the past two years but the event is set to return March 18.

Those who have been influential in overseeing the event are looking forward to getting the event back in order. 

“We’re very excited to bring it back. It’s a great opportunity for students in the area to pursue a very fun writing opportunity,” said Professor Richard Krause, chairperson of the department of communication.

According to Krause, this event is offered to students in the surrounding area, with school districts such as Greene, Washington, Alleghany and Fayette being the closest. The rest of the school districts in Pennsylvania include Beaver and Westmoreland. 

To add to that, the following school districts in Ohio are involved: Belmont, Jefferson and Monroe, as well as the following school districts in West Virginia: Marshall, Monongalia, Ohio, Preston and Wetzel. 

According to Sylvia Cavallo, the event facilitator for the contest, high schools located in Carmichaels, Freedom, Grove City and Thomas Jefferson are included as a way to increase student turnout.

Students who participate in the contest will have the opportunity to interview a guest speaker before writing an article.

“They receive context from the quotes that they received from their interview, print the sample, take them out to lunch in the dining hall and send them home,” Krause said.

According to Krause, the judging process will be administered by individuals from Waynesburg University who have a background in the field of print journalism, as well as other writers and seasoned journalists from around the area.

“The judges get an opportunity to review their stories, they have a weighted system that they use and that leads to who gets first, second and third,” he said.

The first-place winner of the contest will receive a prize of 500 dollars, while the second place finisher will receive  a prize of 300 dollars. Third place will receive a prize of 200 dollars. 

The event will be hosted by the university on March 18, with check-ins being on the third floor of Buhl Hall. The competition is open to all the schools from the previously mentioned districts and for students in grades 10-12. 

Further information will be posted on Waynesburg University’s website at a later date.