This past month, the XHS Writing Club hosted its first all-school creative writing contest of the year!

In keeping with the season, students were invited to write a short story in the gothic genre. Stories had to be less than 1,000 words, and had to include at least *one* Poe-inspired aspect, such as a black cat, catacombs, a raven, or other suitably eerie or mysterious element. 

The authors of the winning stories all received a collection of Poe's stories and poems. All three stories, plus one honorable mention, will be published in the first XHS writing anthology, which should go to print in late April or early May 2026! 

  🥇 1st place: "Bell Struck Ball" by Aiva McGrew

  🥈 2nd place: "A New Friend" by Abigail Hutchins

  🥉 3rd place: "The Raven's Sight" by Connor Gilliland

  🏅 Honorable Mention: "The House of Ravens" by Madison Estep

Writing Club plans to host creative writing contests throughout the year in different genres in order to promote creative writing, and give more students an opportunity to become a published author!   

 📷 Mrs. Burgess