High School Writing Competition

2026 WINNERS 

   

 ESSAY 

 1. 

 Allison Stanley, “’Things Fall Apart’: Rhetorical Analysis.” Teacher: Meredith Baine, Jonesboro High School. 

 2. 

 Jade Johnson,  "Drinking the Kool-Aid." Teacher: Nicole LaCount, Jonesboro High School. 

 3. 

 Tyler Eaton, "Sexual Education in the Academic Environment." Teacher: Kelli Rollins-Stidham, Paragould High School. 

 HONORABLE MENTION: Cameron Russell, "Reaching New Growth with the Beatles." Teacher: Meredith Baine, Jonesboro High School. 

 HONORABLE MENTION: Abigail Merila, "Diseases I Have Known." Teacher: Kelli Rollins-Stidham, Paragould High School. 

 HONORABLE MENTION: Evie Mixon, "Fighting a Bear." Teacher: Meredith Baine, Jonesboro High School. 

 CREATIVE NON-FICTION 

 1. 

 Addyson H. Groetsch, "Nile of Doubt." Teacher: Dr. Jessica Seat, Batesville High School. 

 2. 

 Charlee Simpson, "The Day I Chose Peace." Teacher: Nicole LaCount, Jonesboro High School. 

 3. 

 Scarlet Jacks, "Action!" Teacher: Meredith Baine, Jonesboro High School. 

 HONORABLE MENTION: Keira Guerrero, "What Music Speaks to Me." Teacher: Meredith Baine, Jonesboro High School. 

 FICTION 

 1. 

 Madilyn Smith, "The Destruction You Bring." Teacher: Meredith Baine, Jonesboro High School. 

 2. 

 Kyler Williams, The Case of the Muppet Murder." Teacher: Meredith Baine, Jonesboro High School. 

 3. 

 Cesar Canizales , "The Sisyphus Conundrum." Teacher: Nicole LaCount, Jonesboro High School. 

 POETRY 

 1. 

 Brynlee Rabah, "An Unwritten Path." Teacher: Kelli Rollins-Stidham, Paragould High School. 

 2. 

 Zariah Williams, "Something Familiar." Teacher: Meredith Baine, Jonesboro High School. 

 3. 

 Isaac Pearson , "Acrophobia." Teacher: Kelli Rollins-Stidham, Paragould High School. 

 HONORABLE MENTION: Charlee Simpson, "Never Look My Way." Teacher: Nicole LaCount, Jonesboro High School. 

 HONORABLE MENTION: Allison Tate, "A Spring Once Remembered" Teacher: Dr. Jessica Seat, Batesville High School.