On Feb. 14, Jessen Baxter, son of Lorey Baxter and grandson of Evelyn and Orvil Harless of Hillsboro, was announced to be Greenbrier County’s Young Writers Contest winner in grade one and two.
His story, titled “A Fish Named Bob” will go on to compete in the West Virginia State Young Writers Contest in Charleston. Jessen is a second grade student in the classroom of Deborah W. Johnson at Ronceverte Elementary School.
“Jessen is a hardworking, creative and talented student, with an amazing imagination said Johnson. “I’m very proud of his accomplishments. When I announced to the class that Jessen’s story had won the county and would going to the state competition, all his peers clapped and congratulated him over and over again.”
Since 1984, the Young Writers Contest has been held under the auspice of the WV Writing Project. It is managed by CWVWP at MUGC with the help of the state Department of Education. Young Writers Contest, which is funded by the WV Department of Education and supported by Marshall University Graduate College, the University of Charleston, and the Charleston Daily Mail, has grown to showcase and honor student writers in grades one through 12 in all 55 counties. Over 800 students, teachers, parents and family members attended the celebration day last year at the University of Charleston. Such outstanding participation symbolizes the importance of writing for students and their teachers in West Virginia.
Baxter, along with other Greenbrier County winners, will be recognized at the April Board of Education meeting. “I would like to thank Mrs. Lynn R. Bostic, Greenbrier County BOE; Director of Elementary Education, Title I, Adult Education, and Greenbrier School of Practical Nursing for spearheading the Young Writers Competition,” said Johnson.
A Fish Named Bob
By Jessen Baxter
A long time ago there was a fish named Bob O’Brien. Bob was lonely because he didn’t have any friends. He just swam around the river all day and played by himself.
One bright, sunny day a little boy came to the bank of the river. Bob popped out of the water and cried, “Will you be my friend?” The boy said, “No!” and ran away. Bob was sad again, sadder than he had ever been before. The following morning Bob hung out around the edge of the river, in hopes someone else would come by and sure enough someone did. This little boy didn’t look any friendlier than the first so Bob didn’t even bother to talk to him. Bob started to swim away when he heard the boy say, “Hey fish, come back! Will you be my friend?” Bob swam back and replied, “Yes!” Now, he had a friend. They swam and played for hours in the water.
Later that day another boy came along holding a fishing pole. Bob knew the boy meant him harm, so Bob hid in the algae until the boy went away. Several days later another boy came by the river carrying a bowl. He put the bowl in the water and asked Bob if he would like to go home with him and be his pet. Bob was excited about having another friend and a new home.
He swam into the bowl and the boy carried him to a pet store where he bought Bob fish food and colorful rocks for his bowl. The boy took Bob home and found a really nice place on the kitchen counter to put his bowl. The boy and Bob became best friends. Even a boy and a fish can be friends.
