Area high school juniors and seniors were recognized for excellence in writing at the annual Writers� Workshop at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

The workshop, sponsored by the College of Letters and Science and directed by professor of English Donna Decker, seeks to recognize and encourage young writers through writing sessions, scholarships and achievement certificates. To qualify for the event, now in its 31^st consecutive year, students must submit a writing sample that fits into one of the workshop categories: children�s writing, formal essays, familiar essay, poetry and short stories.

In addition to workshops for each of the categories, this year�s event featured several extra presentations for students and high school faculty. Joan Wiese Johannes, a language arts teacher at Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids, led a workshop on the use of music and percussion instruments in poetry. Tony Wacker, a writer and English major at UWSP, hosted a reading of UWSP student poets followed by an open reading of poetry for high school students. Anne-Bridget Gary, professor of art and design at UWSP, led a presentation on ceramics. Dan Dieterich, UWSP professor of English, presented a course in word origins for high school faculty. Lynn Kramer, associate professor of English at UWSP, led a writers� workshop for high school faculty. High school students and faculty also were treated to a tour of the UWSP campus and lunch at the DeBot Center.

The day culminated with an awards ceremony honoring the recipients of five $1,000 scholarships to attend UWSP, the alternates in each category, and juniors who received "A" ratings for their writing. The writing samples were judged by the UWSP faculty members who ran the programs, including senior lecturer in English Judy Peplinski, assistant professor of English Sarah Pogell, professor of English Richard Behm, professor of political science Dennis Riley, professor of English William Lawlor, assistant professor of English Patricia Gott, and associate professor of environmental education Joe Passineau.