WriteOn! showcases student creative writing in Albania and beyond

WriteOn! is an international competition that originated in Georgia and came to Albania in 2011. This annual competition is designed to encourage students to develop their critical thinking, expressive writing, and English language skills. Participants, ranging from 6th to 12th grade, have one hour to respond to a thought-provoking and age-appropriate creative prompt. In Albania, participants' essays are scored at both national and international levels.

Reviving the tradition

Post-pandemic, the revival of WriteOn! in Albania started with Agim, Peace Corps' TEFL program manager, whose vision and leadership rekindled enthusiasm for the project. The idea first emerged during my pre-service training in December 2023, as I looked forward to my assignment as a TEFL Volunteer at an Albanian high school. Despite the whirlwind of adjusting to life in Albania and honing our language skills, WriteOn! remained a beacon on the horizon for me and my fellow Trainees.

The vision for WriteOn!

In early February 2024, with site visits approaching, Agim reignited the flame, encouraging Volunteers to engage in meaningful projects. When the opportunity to lead WriteOn! arose, I eagerly accepted in collaboration with my teammate, Kira, a Peace Corps TEFL Volunteer at an Albanian middle school.

At the time, opportunities for students to engage in creative writing were non-existent at the school I'm working at, and there was a lack of structured activities to nurture their expressive abilities in English. The competition aimed to fill this gap by providing a platform for students to practice and showcase their skills.

The journey

Organizing the WriteOn! competition required many Zoom calls, extensive paperwork, and many hours of planning, organizing, and fine-tuning the details. Despite initial challenges, the process unfolded smoothly. Along with Kira, my main collaborators were English teachers and school directors in Albania.

The first competition at my high school was nerve-wracking, but in the end everything fell into place. The students' enthusiasm and dedication were heartwarming as they poured their hearts into their essays. Encouraged by this success, we expanded the competition to two local elementary schools, where the response was overwhelming.

Impact of WriteOn!

WriteOn! has had a significant impact on participants, beyond improving their writing skills. Many students reported feeling more confident in their abilities.

One student shared, "The competition has encouraged me to write more. I was so curious to see who would win!"

Peace Corps Volunteer Jason noted, "Students really enjoyed the unique and creative aspects of the competition, and I was happy to provide them the opportunity to showcase their talents."

The value of WriteOn! lies in empowering students to express themselves creatively. 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.

Participation

Following our PDM training, the national judging event in Berat showcased the scale of participation in Albania:

• Over 29 towns or villages participated
• 1,132 participants: 741 9-vjecare students and 349 Gjimnaz students
• Students came from 23 9-vjecare schools, 8 Gjimnaz schools, and 3 K-12 village schools
• Our Instagram page (@writeonalbania) saw a 523% increase in reach and a 466.7% increase in engagement, with 37 posts promoting the competition.

Internationally, there was a remarkable turnout of 1,476 participants. Each national and international winner will receive a certificate, and winners will also be posted on the WriteOn! Albania website.

In our first year, WriteOn! has already left a trail of inspiration and empowerment.

Media coverage

Voice of America visited during the national judging process and wrote a story on WriteOn! You can read and watch the full story here:

Voice of America Story
YouTube Video

Future plans

Looking ahead, we aim to continue expanding WriteOn! to reach more students. Our goal is to make the competition sustainable, with or without the support of Peace Corps Volunteers. We hope to strengthen international partnerships, enhancing the competition's diversity and providing students with broader opportunities for growth and recognition.

Gratitude

I'd like to extend a big thank you to our Albanian counterparts, Agim, Ardita, and Kira; our Montenegrin counterparts, Peace Corps Montenegro coordinators Erika and Rob; our Kosovar counterparts, Peace Corps Kosovo coordinators Kayla and Kayla; as well as everyone who participated and helped make this project successful.

To the 15 dedicated Volunteers who devoted countless hours to judging and organizing, your commitment to fostering creativity and expression in young minds is truly inspiring. A big thank you to our judges: Kira, Sarah, Amelia, Rylie, Will, Colin, Elyse, Ben, Jason, Luciana, Maria, Jack, Andrew, Noah, and Abigail.

The Peace Corps office in Tirana also hosted the international judging. Volunteers judged the top three essays from each grade in Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo, and then our top three international winners. A big thank you to our judges: Grace, Alex, David, Taylor, and Kathy.

Special thanks to the local teachers and school administrators who supported and facilitated this project at every stage. Your enthusiasm and cooperation were crucial to our success.

To the students, thank you for your bravery in sharing your thoughts and creativity. You are the heart of WriteOn!, and we look forward to seeing your continued growth and achievements. We could not have made this project a reality without each and every one of you!