2023 KSPA State Contest

W4: Feature Writing

How to submit an entry

1. Find your regional code
2. Open a Google document
3. Add your heading
4. Rename your document
5. Review the prompt
6. Write your entry
7. “Turn in” your entry

STEP #1:

Find your school code

Your school’s school code is required on your writing entry

Do not use your school name anywhere on your entry.

Please see the next slide for each school’s regional code.

Your school’s school code is required on your writing entry

Do not use your school name anywhere on your entry.

Please see the previous slide for each school’s regional code.

STEP #2:

Open a Google document

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STEP #2:

Open a Google document

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All that you need is a simple blank Google Doc. You can open one at www.docs.google.com

STEP #3:

Add your heading

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STEP #3:

Add your heading

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Please include:

Your Regional Code

Your Name

Your Contest: W4: Feature Writing

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STEP #4:

Rename your document

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STEP #4:

Rename your document

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Please include:

Your School’s Regional Code

Your Name

Your Contest: W4

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STEP #5:

Review the prompt

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RULES OF YOUR CONTEST

• This contest is meant to be completed individually. Please refrain from seeking help from others while completing this contest.
• Failure to follow these directions may result in disqualification from the contest without refund. Please read and follow carefully.
• You will be writing a feature story. The story should be approximately 500 words. With the aid of Google Drive, we are able to enforce this. Please do not write longer than the word limit.
• Please use only the information provided on the upcoming slides. The writer should determine which information is relevant and important to the story. Students may use dictionary, thesaurus and/or the Associated Press style manual.

REMEMBER:

You are writing for a make-believe high school.

For the purpose of this contest, imagine you are a member of Sunflower High School’s journalism staff. Your editor has asked you to write a feature story for the school’s student news publication.

INFO ABOUT THIS “MAKE-BELIEVE” SCHOOL

• Name: Sunflower High School
• Location: Clinton, Kansas
• Mascot: Mighty Buffalo
• Enrollment: 800 (grades 9-12)
• School colors: yellow and brown
• Yearbook: The Sunflower
• Newspaper: Sunflower News

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PROMPT MATERIALS: slide 1 of 3

Summary: Sunflower High School sweethearts Jackie and Ryan Fitzgerald are back teaching at the school where they met. Both are teaching English after meeting in an English class 12 years ago. They both earned A’s in the class back in high school. They won’t say who had the higher percentage.

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From interview with 54 year old english teacher Emitt Johnson:

• “I remember the first day of my second semester English class in, what was it? 2011 I think? Those two walked in for the first day and it was closer to love at first sight than anything I’ve seen.”
• “He walked in to class reading Romeo and Juliet, paying no attention to anything else. She was walking through the classroom with her nose buried in a poetry book I’d never heard of and they walked right into each other and started laughing. From that moment on they were inseparable.”
• Johnson was the teacher of the English class where Ryan and Jackie met in 2011. His is now English department chair at Sunflower High.
• “They are really great teachers and I’m so glad they’re back in our community. I look forward to working with them for years to come.”
• “When Ryan suggested that his classes read Romeo and Juliet, we all rolled our eyes. Especially Jackie. Then the entire English department busted up laughing.”

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From interview with 27 year old Jackie Fitzgerald:

• “I met Ryan working on a group project in my sophomore year English class… Adventure through Literature I think it was called? We had to make a board game following the story of The Odyssey and label each part of the game with it’s part of the hero’s journey. I remember Ryan was the only other person in our group who was interested in the project. I liked him from that point on.”
• “It’s so fulfilling to teach at the school where I fell in love, and how I hope to inspire my students to pursue their passions and dreams just as Ryan and I have, with English and with each other.”
• “Ryan and I believe that education is the key to unlocking a better future, not just for our students but for our society as a whole. We want to instill in our students a love of learning that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.”
• “Teaching in the same department as Ryan has been an incredible experience. We're able to bounce ideas off of each other, collaborate on lesson plans and provide feedback that improves the quality of our teaching. It's an amazing feeling to be able to work with my partner in life and in teaching.”
• “It's been wonderful to see the impact that Ryan has had on his students, and to hear about their experiences in his class. It's amazing to see the connection that he's been able to make with them, and to be able to support them as they continue to grow and learn.”
• “Ryan and I have always believed in the power of education to transform lives, and it's incredible to be able to work together to make a difference in the lives of our students. I'm excited to continue teaching at Sunflower High and to see what the future holds for us both.”

PROMPT MATERIALS: slide 2 of 3

From interview with 28 year old Ryan Fitzgerald:

• “Jackie and I met in an English class 12 years ago, and we've been inseparable ever since. We fell in love over a shared passion for books and stories, and it's been the foundation of our relationship ever since. This is a reminder that taking a chance on that cute girl in your group can make the biggest difference in the world. It also helps if you read the book.”
• “Teaching at Sunflower High School is a reminder of how far we've come as a couple and as people. I see young students every day, and I remember how we once were at that age. Yes, we were teenagers once, too!”
• “I remember the first time I saw Jackie in that English class. She was so smart and confident, and I was immediately drawn to her. And as we worked on our project together, I realized that she was not only brilliant, but also kind, funny, and compassionate. I knew then that I wanted to be with her for the rest of my life. Plus, I loved her Maroon 5 t-shirt.”
• “Long distance relationships are not easy, but they're worth it if you're with the right person. Jackie and I were able to make it work because we had a strong foundation of trust, respect, and open communication. And now, as we teach at the school where we met, we hope to pass on those values to our students.”
• “Teaching at Sunflower High School with Jackie has brought our relationship to a new level. I really struggle with keeping up with grading, but she has taught me so many ways to give helpful feedback but also move through the papers quickly. I am not sure I have much to make her a better teacher.”

From interview with senior Haley Morris:

• “Every aspect of Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgeralds’ love and where it stems from is clearly visible in their teaching. Both are incredibly loving, caring, passionate and excited to teach each one of their students.”
• “It's really special to have two teachers who are not only passionate about their subject, but also have a personal connection to each other. Their love for each other is something that inspires us all.”
• “I love having had both Jackie and Ryan as teachers because they bring out different strengths in each other. They both have unique teaching styles, but they work together seamlessly to create a really engaging and dynamic classroom.”
• “Every day Ryan brings in a coffee and lunch for Jackie and it’s the sweetest thing ever. He put his hand on her shoulder while she is sitting at her desk. The mug she uses has a photo from their college days on one side and a photo of their wedding day on the other. I think it’s from Shutterfly. Some days I swear they are just hoping that all of the students will look away so they can kiss. But maybe that’s just me. They are seriously so sweet.”
• “Someone created a Finstagram account where they post pictures of the Fitzgeralds together at school being all sweet with each other. It’s called FitzgeraldsForever. I think the whole school follows the account. It’s almost too cute to handle.”

PROMPT MATERIALS: slide 3 of 3

Other information:

• Timeline
• Met sophomore year, January 2011, in Adventure through Literature class doing a group project for The Odyssey
• Jackie went to the University of Kansas and majored in education and Ryan went to the Kansas State University and majored in education. They both graduated in May 2017.
• After college, they moved in together in Clinton and got engaged three months later in September of 2017.
• After college they both got jobs at Kansas high schools before meeting up to teach together at Sunflower High in August 2022.
• Married almost a year to the day of getting engaged in September of 2018.
• The couple has started a book club for their students, where they discuss a range of literary works and encourage critical thinking and analysis. They have recently gone through The Great Gatsby, The Kite Runner and To Kill a Mockingbird.
• In addition to teaching, Ryan also coaches the school's debate team, which has had multiple students make it to state under his leadership.

STEP #6:

Write your entry

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RULES OF YOUR CONTEST

• This contest is meant to be completed individually. Please refrain from seeking help from others while completing this contest.
• Failure to follow these directions may result in disqualification from the contest without refund. Please read and follow carefully.
• You will be writing a feature story. The story should be approximately 500 words. With the aid of Google Drive, we are able to enforce this. Please do not write longer than the word limit.
• Please use only the information provided on the upcoming slides. The writer should determine which information is relevant and important to the story. Students may use dictionary, thesaurus and/or the Associated Press style manual.

STEP #6:

Write your entry

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Please include:

Indents for new paragraphs

Extra lines between paragraphs

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STEP #7:

“Turn in” your entry

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STEP #7:

Submit your entry to the Google Classroom

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Select your document

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“Turn in” your document

2023 KSPA State Contest

W4: Feature Writing