The Restart of WriteOn!
A story of a successful project.
What is WriteOn! ?
WriteOn! is a yearly competition designed to encourage students to develop their critical thinking, expressive writing, and English language skills. Participants in the contest are students from 6th grade through 12th grade. During the contest, participants have one hour to sit and respond to a thought-provoking and age-appropriate creative prompt. In Albania, participants’ essays are then scored at the national and international levels.
What are the objectives?
For teachers, the competition is an opportunity to develop the English language skills of their students through thought-provoking ways not often included in the curriculum.For students, the contest provides an outlet for freedom of expression and an incentive for further language development.For Peace Corps Volunteers, this is a chance to get involved, be inspired, and have a lot of fun on a secondary project.For donors, this is an opportunity to encourage creativity in students living in the regions of developing countries.
How did it get restarted?
It all began with Agim, brimming with hope and enthusiasm, setting the stage for what would become a transformative journey. As the TEFL program manager, Agim embodied the epitome of a stellar leader, inspiring us with his vision for WriteOn! It feels like eons ago now, back during PST when the idea first sprouted. Yet amidst the whirlwind of adjusting to Albanian life and honing our language skills, WriteOn! remained a distant beacon on our horizon.
Picture this: early February, site visits looming on the horizon, and a cohort of eager volunteers itching to dive into meaningful projects. Once again, Agim reignited the flame of WriteOn!, nudging us to turn our attention towards this exciting endeavor.
Now, if there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I thrive on taking the reins, especially when it comes to spearheading initiatives that promise impact. So, naturally, when the opportunity to lead WriteOn! presented itself, I leaped at the chance. With my trusty partner-in-crime, Kira, by my side, I felt invincible. Cue the endless Zoom calls, meticulous edits, and piles of paperwork; we were on a mission to make WriteOn! a reality.
But let me tell you, bringing WriteOn! back from the depths of dormancy was no small feat. It demanded countless hours of planning, organizing, and fine-tuning every detail. Yet, despite the initial daunting prospect, the process unfolded with surprising ease, and dare I say, success.
The moment of truth arrived with our inaugural competition at the high school where I teach. The butterflies fluttered in my stomach as I fretted over every detail, fearing the worst. However, much to my relief, everything fell into place beautifully. Witnessing the students' enthusiasm and dedication to their craft was nothing short of heartwarming. They poured their hearts and souls into their essays, crafting pieces they were genuinely proud of.
Not content with confining the competition to just one school, I decided to spread the WriteOn! magic to two local elementary schools as well. The response was overwhelming, with students from all corners of the community embracing the opportunity to unleash their creativity through writing.
Fast forward to our national judging event in Berat, following our PDM training, and I found myself floored by the sheer scale of participation. In our very first year, WriteOn! had already made its mark, leaving a trail of inspiration and empowerment in its wake.
General Description of the Competition for 2024:
The WriteOn! Competition is judged on a national and international basis by Peace Corps Volunteers. With the restart of WriteOn! only in Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo, there were some changes this year. Country-specific competitions were held this year in April. National organizers distribute writing prompts to each volunteer who has expressed an interest in holding a competition in their communities.
Students from 6th grade to 12th were encouraged to participate. At the competition, students chose one writing prompt from a list of two options. They are given one hour to respond, in English, without assistance.
After the competition, each community organizer submits the entries for national judging. National judging is held by a panel of Peace Corps volunteers. Entries are judged based on the merit of their creativity and inspiration, rather than on grammar or spelling. National winners are submitted for international judging by a panel of volunteers from Albania and Montenegro.
Data for the Write-On! Competition 2024:
Over 29 towns or villages participated in WriteOn!
1,132 participants (741 9-vjecare students and 349 Gjimnaz students) submitted essays.
Students came from:
23 9-vjecares, 8 Gjimnaz, and 3 K-12 village schools
Reached 461 accounts which was a 523% increase and engaged with 85 accounts which was a 466.7% increase on our Instagram page @writeonalbania
Below is information on our WriteOn! Instagram posts:
37 posts total were made on the WriteOn! Albania Instagram to promote and provide information for the participating volunteers.
Judging Framework of Competition Entries for 2024:
Students in each grade level, from 6th grade through 12th grade will be judged for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place nationally.
National winners are then submitted to an international judging panel between Albania and Montenegro.
Each national and international winner will get a certificate. Winners will also be posted on the WriteOn! Albania website https://writeonalbania.wixsite.com/home.
Judging Panel for 2024:
This year, the judging panel consisted of 15 volunteers and lasted from 10:00am to 6:45pm.
A big thank you to our judges Kira, Sarah, Amelia, Rylie, Will, Colin, Elyse, Ben, Jason, Luciana, Maria, Jack, Andrew, Noah, and Abigail.
There were more than 1,132 participants this year. Every essay was read twice and given a score between 0-24. Afterwards, the top 7 scoring essays in each grade were read by 4 judges to get an average score to determine the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place essays for the group of essays they are reviewing.
Judging Location for 2024:
National Judging took place in Berat after the PDM Workshop on April 27th at the Youth Center with thanks to Andrew, PCV in Berat, for securing the space.
National Winners for Albania
6th | 1st | Kukes | Alba Zemeli | Ben |
| 2nd | Kukes | Joana Domi | Ben |
| 3rd | Kukes | Saminda Cenaj | Ben |
| Handwriting | Libohove | Reihan Bilibashi | Amelia |
7th | 1st | Peshkopi | Ejona Sopoti | Abigail |
| 2nd | Libofshe | Erisa Berisha | Nikole |
| 3rd | Golem | Antea Alebaku | Jack |
| Handwriting | Kukes | Noemi Oruci | Ben |
8th | 1st | Bilisht | Uendi Zhuleku | Kira |
| 2nd | Libofshe | Ami Meço | Nikole |
| 3rd | Kukes | Zade Gërbolli | Ben |
| Handwriting | Kukes | Bleana Matmuja | Ben |
9th | 1st | Belsh | Megisa Uruçi | Karl |
| 2nd | Golem | Paulina Ozuni | Jack |
| 3rd | Havaleas | Leandro Bërzeshta | Kourosh |
| Handwriting | Kukes | Deona Cuni | Ben |
10th | 1st | Tirana | Amelia Kote | |
| 2nd | Bilisht | Evelina Hyska | Kira |
| 3rd | Katund i Ri | Frida Vrioni | Jonathon |
| Handwriting | Tirana | Tea Nuhu | |
11th | 1st | Belsh | Eralda Bullari | Karl |
| 2nd | Librazhd | Anisa Bozhiqi | Jason |
| 3rd | Peshkopi | Markela Torba | Abigail |
| Handwriting | Belsh | Griselda Sefa | Karl |
12th | 1st | Prrenjas | Eldison Laraku | Rylie |
| 2nd | Librazhd | Orinela Gurra | Jason |
| 3rd | Bilisht | Ristana Ago | Kira |
| Handwriting | Librazhd | Orinela Gurra | Jason |
Judges Choice | | | | |
6th | From Elyse | Kukes | Saminda Cenaj | Ben |
6th | From Luciana | Prrenjas | Ernadio | Rylie |
8th | From Jack | Bilisht | Besjana Myrte | Kira |
9th | From Colin | Golem | Anxhela Elezi | Jack |
10th | From Ben | Bilisht | Evelina Hyska | Kira |
11th | From Will | Bilisht | Daklin Zhuleku | Kira |
Media Coverage
During our national judging, we were visited by Voice of America which did a story on WriteOn! for this year. You can read and watch the full story below.
International Judging 2024
Since our post successfully restarted WriteOn!, we are also hosting the International judging. This took place on May 31st in Tirana at the Peace Corps office from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm.
We judged the top 3 essays from each grade from Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo. Each essay was typed up from each. post and read by a panel of judges. Big thank you to Grace, Alex, David, Taylor, and Kathy.
We then determined our top 3 international winners.
Conclusions and Take Aways
Community Engagement and Growth: The revival of the WriteOn! competition showcased the power of community engagement and collaboration. With over 29 towns or villages participating, the project's reach extended far beyond initial expectations. The significant increase in Instagram engagement highlights the growing interest and involvement from both participants and supporters, reflecting a positive shift in community engagement strategies.
Student Empowerment and Participation: The heart of WriteOn! lies in empowering students to express themselves creatively. With a remarkable turnout of 1,132 participants across various grade levels, the competition provided a platform for students to showcase their writing skills and nurture their passion for language. The enthusiastic response from students underscores the impact of initiatives that foster creative expression and personal growth.
Quality of Judging and Recognition: The meticulous judging process ensured fairness and accuracy in evaluating entries. By emphasizing creativity and inspiration over grammar and spelling, the competition encouraged students to explore their imaginations freely. The recognition of national winners through certificates and online platforms not only celebrates their achievements but also inspires others to participate in future editions of WriteOn!
International Collaboration and Expansion: Hosting the international judging in Tirana signifies WriteOn!'s growing stature and influence beyond national borders. Collaborating with volunteers from Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo underscores the project's potential to foster cross-cultural exchange and dialogue. Looking ahead, strengthening international partnerships promises to enhance the competition's diversity and competitiveness, providing students with broader opportunities for growth and recognition.
Continuous Improvement and Adaptation: The success of WriteOn! stems from a commitment to continuous improvement and adaptation. Feedback from volunteers and participants serves as a valuable resource for identifying areas of improvement and refining the competition's structure and processes. By learning from past experiences and addressing challenges head-on, WriteOn! can evolve into a more seamless and impactful initiative in the years to come.
Vision for the Future: As WriteOn! looks towards the future, there is a shared vision of expanding its reach and impact. With a stronger international field and streamlined processes, the competition aims to provide more students with the opportunity to unleash their creativity and hone their writing skills. By fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity, WriteOn! aspires to become a beacon of inspiration and empowerment for students across the region.
In essence, the 2024 WriteOn! competition not only celebrated the triumphs of student creativity and expression but also demonstrated the power of collective action and collaboration in driving positive change. As the project continues to grow and evolve, its legacy of fostering linguistic proficiency, cultural exchange, and personal growth will endure for generations to come.
I'd like to say a big thank you to Agim, Ardita, Kira, our Albanian counterparts, our Montenegrin counterparts, our Peace Corps Montenegro coordinators Erika and Rob, our Kosovaren counterparts, our Peace Corps Kosovo coordinators Kayla and Kayla, as well as all who participated and helped to make this project successful. It could not have happened without you all!
Written by Rylie LaRue, PCV and co-coordinator for WriteOn!. Written originally for the Peace Corps website.
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