COVINGTON, Ga. - The Newton County School System is pleased to announce that two Newton High School students were recently announced as winners of the 2019 Griffin RESA Regional Young Georgia Authors’ Contest. 

Freshman Arriana Gross won the regional ninth-grade competition with her entry, “The Seeds” while junior Justice Ferguson came in first place in the 11th-grade contest with his submission, “Dreamer of Storms.” Their entries competed with submissions by students from school systems throughout the Griffin RESA Region, including: Butts, Fayette, Henry, Lamar, Pike, Spalding, and Upson school systems.

Both students won the Newton County School System Young Georgia Authors Contest for their grade level before moving on to the regional competition. Students participating in the contest could submit entries in the form of short stories, poetry, essays, journals, personal narratives, reports, or other original student writing. Submissions were judged on four domains as reflected in the Georgia Standards of Excellence—ideas, organization, cohesiveness, and language. Their written work will now be submitted into the state competition. 

“Congratulations to Arriana and Justice on a job well done,” NCSS Superintendent Samantha Fuhrey said. “Writing skills are crucial, as the ability to write well can be the ticket to better grades and greater academic achievement. Arriana and Justice are obviously very talented writers and we are excited that they each won at the regional level. I wish them the very best in the state competition.” 

For more information on the Young Georgia Authors’ Contest, contact Ms. Sherri Davis, Director of Public Relations for Newton County Schools at davis.sherri@newton.k12.ga.us.