ANNOUNCING:
​ THE 2018 ANNUAL PLAYWRITING FESTIVAL WINNERS

Chosen from more than 700 submissions from students in 40 different schools, the winners of this year's Annual Playwriting Festival are...

Elementary

First Place
  • Jemma Bleu Greenbaum, Disagree to Agree, Elkins Park School, Teacher Mary Aiken, Teaching Artist Linnell Truchon
  • Class Play, Super Secrets, Cheltenham Elementary, Teacher Gerald Aungst, Teaching Artist MR Stine
  • Iris Dobeck, Simone Ellison-Metcalfe, Ingrid Kary,  Jamie Taub, The Secret Law, Wyncote Elementary, Teacher Kristin Krause, Teaching Artist MR Stine


​
Second Place
  • Harrisa Banto, Secrets, Penrose School, Teacher Lori Odum, Teaching Artist Kate McGrath
  • Helen Dugan, Am I Safe?, Elkins Park School, Teacher Mary Aiken, Teaching Artist Linnell Truchon
  • Quinn Durso, The Price to Pay, Elkins Park School, Teacher Mary Aiken, Teaching Artist Linnell Truchon
  • Class Play, The Big Scare, Glenside Elementary, Ryan Morrison and Caitlin Ramirez, Teaching Artist Linnell Truchon
  • Class Play, The Unforgettable Anniversary, Glenside Elementary, Teacher Angela Epperson, Teaching Artist Linnell Truchon
  • Anaisabel Garcia, Forest Hartt, Jonas Holochwost, Kylie Kirmin, Madelaine Leighton, Working Like A Dog, Myers Elementary, Teacher Mimi Rubin, Teaching Artist MR Stine
  • Maya Gest, Luis Reyes IV, Leah Stein, Henry Wasserman, The Adventures of Elf and Gargo!, Myers Elementary, Teacher Mimi Rubin, Teaching Artist MR Stine
  • Logan Jones and Asha Austin, Kidnap, Overbrook Educational Center, Teacher Tajah Eddy, Teaching Artist Jenna Stelmok
  • Ugonna Enyia, Theo Parker, Destiny Sutton, Andrew Wilhelm, Emily Zhang, The Switch Up, Wyncote Elementary, Teacher Kristin Krause, Teaching Artist MR Stine
  • Xavier Matthews, The Setup, E.M Stanton Elementary, Teacher Nicole Monsalud, Teaching Artists Donnell Powell and Phoebe Schaub

Third Place
  • Derek Capers, Floyd Patterson, Sundus Taalbi, Jonah Tinsley, Bye Bye Beach, Overbrook Educational Center, Teacher Tajah Eddy, Teaching Artist Jenna Stelmok
  • Jordyn Madden, Dare or Die, E.M Stanton Elementary, Teacher Nicole Monsalud, Teaching Artists Donnell Powell and Phoebe Schaub
  • Giselle Bonner, Emile Chanoine, Nayan Foxhall, Mia Haugen, Nate Leary, The Bully Conundrum, Wyncote Elementary, Teacher Kristin Krause, Teaching Artist MR Stine
  • Madison Fiegel, Emily Lav, Jayla Martin, MaKenzie Stevenson, Secret, Cheltenham Elementary, Teacher Gerald Aungst, Teaching Artist MR Stine
  • Asher Desiato, Isaiah Simpson, Malachi Williams, Prank Wars, Cheltenham Elementary, Teacher Gerald Aungst, Teaching Artist MR Stine
  • Lily Wilden, Lightning, Elkins Park School, Teacher Mary Aiken, Teaching Artist Linnell Truchon

Middle School

First Place
  • Angelina DeMonte, Say Who Are You That Mumbles in the Dark, Welsh Valley Middle School, Teachers Elizabeth Serpentine and Bernadette Bartholomew, Teaching Artist David O’Connor
  • Fallon George, Play Ball, Springfield Township Middle School, Teacher Natalie Feliciani, Teaching Artist Shamus McCarty
  • Lucy Palandro, Acceptance, Independence Charter School, Teacher Olukemi Kamson, Teaching Artists Donovan Lockett and Phoebe Schaub

Second Place
  • Riley Atkinson, Behind Closed Eyes, Springfield Township Middle School, Teacher Sonia Andre-Borges
  • Leah Boris, Voices of Change, Strath Haven Middle School, Teacher Eleanor Salgado, Teaching Artists Anthony Martinez-Briggs and Kate McGrath
  • Julie Brose, Isolation, The Baldwin School, Teacher Aileen McCulloch
  • Ryan Chandlee, Ten Bullets Ten Years, St. Francis De Sales, Teacher Kelly Neary, Teaching Artists Ryan Walter and Carlos Roa
  • Noa Cutler, Do You Copy, Bala Cynwyd Middle School, Teacher Rachel Nichols, Teaching Artist Phoebe Schaub
  • Gisella Dukes, The Emperor’s Savior, Independence Charter School, Teacher Olukemi Kamson, Teaching Artists Donovan Lockett and Phoebe Schaub
  • Jessica Eichen, Atomic, Bala Cynwyd Middle School, Teacher Rachel Nichols, Teaching Artist Phoebe Schaub
  • Geonni Gee, Fruit Snacks, Independence Charter School, Teacher Olukemi Kamson, Teaching Artists Donovan Lockett and Phoebe Schaub
  • Fana Habtom, A Big Secret, Penrose School, Teacher Lori Odum, Teaching Artist Kate McGrath
  • Violet Hetherington, The Guardian of Tortoiseshell Bay, Elkins Park School, Teacher Mary Aiken, Teaching Artist Linnell Truchon
  • Shane Kennedy, Acceptance, Drexel Hill Middle School, Teacher Pat Livoy, Teaching Artist Kate McGrath
  • Delaney Lake, Picture Perfect, Springfield Township Middle School, Teacher Natalie Feliciani, Teaching Artist Shamus McCarty
  • Sophiara Lam, The Princess Who Saved Herself, Grover Washington Middle School, Teacher Michele McQuade, Teaching Artist Evan Raines
  • Rennie Lee, Gwendolyn Kapusinski, Darlene Mbombab, Ants!, J.R. Masterman School, Teacher Nicole McGeary, Teaching Artist Ryan Walter
  • Kai Lincke, Searching for Memories, Strath Haven Middle School, Teacher Eleanor Salgado, Teaching Artists Anthony Martinez-Briggs and Kate McGrath
  • Liann Lynch, Shapeshifters, Monsters, and Two Really Confused Kids, J.R. Masterman School, Teacher Alexandra Volin Avelin
  • Cecelia McKinney, A Childish Plea, Ridley Middle School, Teacher Joyce Sweeney
  • Ella Nadler, It Won't Be Long Now, Cedarbrook Middle School, Teacher Elizabeth Susanin, Teaching Artist Kate McGrath
  • Hope Polhill, Freedom, Beverly Hills Middle School, Teacher Pat Donnelly, Teaching Artist David Jacobi
  • Isabella Rey, Liberté, Cedarbrook Middle School, Teacher Elizabeth Susanin, Teaching Artist Kate McGrath
  • Piper Silberman, Untitled, Springfield Township Middle School, Teacher Natalie Feliciani, Teaching Artist Shamus McCarty
  • Zaakirah Stafford-Herrington, For Your Love, McDaniel Elementary, Teacher Erin Cunningham, Teaching Artists Mitchell Bloom and Donovan Lockett
  • Canei Toby, The Haunted Mirrors, E.M Stanton Elementary, Teacher Nicole Monsalud, Teaching Artists Donnell Powell and Phoebe Schaub
  • Ana Viveros, Forgive, Esperanza Academy, Teacher Dwight Wilkins
  • Anusha Vyas, A Magical Solution, Welsh Valley Middle School, Teachers Elizabeth Serpentine and Bernadette Bartholomew, Teaching Artist David O’Connor
  • Rachel Widjaja, Natalia Bieszczad, Carly Costa, Melanie’s Sweet Revenge, J.R. Masterman School, Teacher LeeAnne Fox-Jones, Teaching Artist Ryan Walter
  • Jayvin Zoleta, Kenneth’s Time Machine, Grover Washington Middle School, Teacher Michele McQuade, Teaching Artist Evan Raines

Third Place
  • Kahlila Tomlin, The Lies You Tell, Penrose School, Teacher Lori Odum, Teaching Artist Kate McGrath
  • Syndey Bergstrom, Code Pink, Strath Haven Middle School, Teacher Eleanor Salgado, Teaching Artists Anthony Martinez-Briggs and Kate McGrath
  • Aniiya Carolina, The Life of a Rapper, St. Francis De Sales, Teacher Kelly Neary, Teaching Artists Ryan Walter and Carlos Roa
  • Steven Duran-Familia, The Weird Apocalypse, McDaniel Elementary, Teacher Erin Cunningham, Teaching Artists Mitchell Bloom and Donovan Lockett
  • Ishmail Gowans, Wrong Turn, McDaniel Elementary, Teacher Erin Cunningham, Teaching Artists Mitchell Bloom and Donovan Lockett
  • Lydia Hessel-Robinson, Truly Abigail - The Adventures of a Girl and Her Alpaca, Elkins Park School, Teacher Mary Aiken, Teaching Artist Linnell Truchon
  • Frances Holcomb, Lola’s Revenge, Springfield Township Middle School, Teacher Jill Vizza, Teaching Artist Shamus McCarty
  • Andrew Marcus, She and Me, Cedarbrook Middle School, Teacher Elizabeth Susanin, Teaching Artist Kate McGrath
  • Sebastian Mostek, An Enigma, Drexel Hill Middle School, Teacher Pat Livoy, Teaching Artist Kate McGrath
  • Liamaris Ortiz, Lesson Learned, Esperanza Academy, Teacher Dwight Wilkins
  • Stephanie Oyelakin, Summer Fling, St. Francis De Sales, Teacher Kelly Neary, Teaching Artists Ryan Walter and Carlos Roa
  • Malik Perry-Fulford, Kidnapping You, UNLOCKED OF MYSTERIES, Beverly Hills Middle School, Teacher Pat Donnelly, Teaching Artist David Jacobi
  • Anthony Rivera, A Play, Esperanza Academy, Teacher Dwight Wilkins
  • Sarah Salhi, The Girls Solve Their Way, Drexel Hill Middle School, Teacher Pat Livoy, Teaching Artist Kate McGrath
  • Niki Schrift, Your Side of This Fence, Welsh Valley Middle School, Teachers Elizabeth Serpentine and Bernadette Bartholomew, Teaching Artist David O’Connor
  • Elahna Shalish and Rachel Zhang, Extra Credit, Bala Cynwyd Middle School, Teacher Rachel Nichols, Teaching Artist Phoebe Schaub
  • Naomi Thallman, Case File X, Strath Haven Middle School, Teacher Eleanor Salgado, Teaching Artists Anthony Martinez-Briggs and Kate McGrath

High School

First Place
  • Nadirah Turner and Matijanay Tiggle, The Dome, Academy at Palumbo, Teacher Anissa Weinraub, Teaching Artists Anthony Martinez-Briggs and Savanah Reich
  • Justin Stetler, Last Minute Fools, Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush, Teacher Sally Wojcik
  • Alise Mackey, Out of Tune, Strath Haven High School, Teacher Christopher McMahon
  • Lily Rivera, Prom Queen, Science Leadership Academy, Teacher Josh Block, Teaching Artist Kate McGrath


Second Place
  • Alex Apolinar, The Killers, Roxborough High School, Teacher Beth Heed, Teaching Artist Claire Moyer
  • Briana Batista, The Kidnapping, Kensington High School, Teacher Robert Ring, Teaching Artists Brittany Brewer and Carlos Roa
  • Leo Cassel-Siskind, One Story, Two Paths, Science Leadership Academy, Teacher Josh Block, Teaching Artist Kate McGrath
  • Cecilia Castro, No Tengo Hogar Aquí, High School for Creative and Performing Arts, Teacher Pete Syoum
  • Class Play, The World of Cartoons and Gods, Furness High School, Teachers Christine Hsu and Rene Justis, Teaching Artists MR Stine and Phoebe Schaub
  • Isaiah Cummings, Seven Sins Return, Roxborough High School, Teacher Beth Heed, Teaching Artist Claire Moyer
  • Raina Farmer, The Sweet Pea Society, Upper Darby High School
  • Kwan Hopkins, Black, Science Leadership Academy, Teacher Josh Block, Teaching Artist Kate McGrath
  • Amirah Howell-Yancey, All Things Go, Lankenau High School, Teacher Donna Bucknor, Teaching Artists Steve Gravelle and Emily Moylan
  • Joseph Joine, A Private Vs Public Hockey Play, The Workshop School, Teacher Michael Clapper
  • Abby Kane, Desperation, Bayard Rustin, Teacher Sarah Gallagher
  • Cristy Liu, Timmy, High School for Creative and Performing Arts, Teacher Pete Syoum
  • Lionel McCulloch, Quantum Suicide, Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School Center for Performing and Fine Arts, Teacher Jason Greenfield
  • Kaylynn Medley, Family Chronicles, High School for Creative and Performing Arts, Teacher Pete Syoum
  • Matthew Milligan, Out for Luke, Science Leadership Academy, Teacher Josh Block, Teaching Artist Kate McGrath
  • Ari Papatolis, The No Friends Club, Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush, Teacher Sally Wojcik
  • Noelle Perri, Book on a Nightstand, Lower Merion High School, Teacher Jeanne Mastriano
  • Nicholas Pierron, Make a Performance Roll, Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush, Teacher Sally Wojcik
  • Olivia Shuman, Straight A and Pure O, Friends Select, Teacher Donna Romero
  • Arianna Torres, Alex, Esperanza Academy, Teacher Dwight Wilkins
  • Casey Tsou, Untitled, JR Masterman, Teacher Alexandra Avelin, Teaching Artists Shamus McCarty and Ryan Walter
  • Kira Wiener, Magenta Inside, Springfield Township High School
  • Madeline Winscom, Thank You Sarah, Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush, Teacher Sally Wojcik

Third Place
  • True Arizola-Lyons, The 68 Year Old Version of Peter Walker, High School for Creative and Performing Arts, Teacher Pete Syoum
  • Joshua Barufaldi, Dream of Change, Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush, Teacher Sally Wojcik
  • Nicky Como, The Girl This Summer, JR Masterman, Teacher Annmarie Marranzini
  • Dante Conyers, Dirty Roses, The Workshop School, Teacher Michael Clapper
  • Amelia Corda, Quinn’s Birthday, Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush, Teacher Sally Wojcik
  • Dinah Day-Booth, Falling North, Harriton High School
  • Dan Dwyer, Unity Not Neutrality, Lower Merion High School, Teacher James Haglund
  • Skye Frisby, Run Away With Me, High School for Creative and Performing Arts, Teacher Pete Syoum
  • Victor Ginsburg, The Cathedral, The Workshop School, Teacher Michael Clapper
  • Dwight Gonzalez, The Collapse of the Wraps, Kensington High School, Teacher Robert Ring, Teaching Artists Brittany Brewer and Carlos Roa
  • India Green, My Life, Lankenau High School, Teacher Donna Bucknor, Teaching Artists Steve Gravelle and Emily Moylan
  • Kamil Kielar, i BELIEVE, Science Leadership Academy, Teacher Josh Block, Teaching Artist Kate McGrath
  • Kim Le, All That Rains in California, Bayard Rustin, Teacher Sarah Gallagher
  • Caleb Maldonado, BURN, Esperanza Academy, Teacher Dwight Wilkins
  • Darius Malone, Overthinking, Lankenau High School, Teacher Donna Bucknor, Teaching Artists Steve Gravelle and Emily Moylan
  • Elizabeth McWilliams, The Adventures of Gray and The Red Hood, Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush, Teacher Sally Wojcik
  • Nayeli Perez, Tania Brown, Court is in Session, Academy at Palumbo, Teacher Anissa Weinraub, Teaching Artists Anthony Martinez-Briggs and Savanah Reich
  • Angelina Rodriguez, How to Put Back a Family, Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush, Teacher Sally Wojcik
  • Keinayalee Rodriguez, Misunderstanding Regret, Esperanza Academy, Teacher Dwight Wilkins
  • Lily Roman, Dummy & I, Science Leadership Academy, Teacher Josh Block, Teaching Artist Kate McGrath
  • Yahseer Smith-Muhammad, Jessica and Luke Become Best Friends With a Dragon, Roxborough High School, Teacher Dawn Geiger, Teaching Artist Claire Moyer
  • Gregory Tasik, Another Chance, Science Leadership Academy, Teacher Josh Block, Teaching Artist Kate McGrath
  • Kaya Trefz, The Sweet Escape, High School for Creative and Performing Arts, Teacher Pete Syoum
THANK YOU to all of the writers, teachers, and teaching artists for all of your hard work, both that which is recognized in this list and that which is not. We are honored to read your work and to share your talents and perspectives with others.  

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