Otselic Valley Central School District

Imagine writing something in the fall – like “Ode to Noodle Soups” by 6th grader Alex Thompson for example – and then seeing your piece professionally produced on stage. That happened! As part of the Echoes Writing Competition from the REV Theatre Company, professional actors visited our 6th graders in mid-autumn to introduce the contest, and classes worked as a group to write a sample story together. With deadline in hand, many of our Vikings chose to write poems, stories, lyrics, advertisements, comedy bits, or newscasts. Some worked independently and some worked with others. Then they mostly forgot about it.Fast forward to May when they filed in to the M P R to see a performance.Everybody settled in, house lights went down, and a live, fast-paced theatre production on a moveable stage set began. The cast of professional actors from the REV Theatre Company performed a series of short features written by Middle School students across the state. The pieces ranged from humor to seriousness, and the audience was fully absorbed.But then one of the actors mentioned “Otselic Valley.” Then “Alex Thompson.” And then…”Ode to Noodle Soups”? Yes indeed.Alex’s original writing was one of the pieces selected from the Echoes Writing Contest to be part of the annual REV theatrical road show performed statewide. REV producers reviewed thousands submissions, then chose a select number to be shaped into a show performed in dozens of participating schools all across New York State.Although logistics didn't allow all contributions to be staged, a lot of our Vikings’ creative writing was noticed. Many 6th grade writers from Otselic Valley were credited for their work and high achievement:Showcased Author: Alex Thompson for “Ode to Noodle Soups”Excellence in Writing: Konyr Clemens for “Not a Lot of People Know This”Honorable Mentions:Elizabeth Parmeter for “Not Everything Sparkles and Shines”Aubrey Rooker for “Ode to Soccer”Maddi Miller for “Ode to Facetime”Danica Davis for “Love”Wyatt Fuller for “Love”Matthew Zinone Powers for “Love”Addison Palmer for “Zone Slapper”Participation:Cameron BardMadlin BoatSpencer BushKatie CouchBaleigh DuBoisMalikai FlemingEllie LoomisLupita Lopez MendezIsabella NealElizabeth PalmerCaelin RemillardRylee RootGabby RussellGabryella RussellIsabella SaylesJadyen WaltzJayden Whelen-VerryAmeliah WrightOur warmest congratulations go out to our very talented writers. They listened closely to learn about the writing opportunity, took a chance, did the work, let their creativity flow, and followed submission instructions. This is what #VikingPride looks like.What will you write next, Vikings?#Echoes #StudentsWrite #WritingCompetition #StudentWriters #TakeAChance #REVTheatre #VikingsWrite #theatre #staging #humor #ShowcasedAuthor #ExcellenceInWriting #HonorableMention SEE MORE FROM THE SLIDESHOW ON FACEBOOK.