June 3, 2010
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH - Last year PRIDE freshman Mikale Thomas entered the Ohio Power of the Pen contest as an eighth grader at Roxboro Middle School. Her story, Sometimes it Hurts, was one of 200 chosen for publication in The Winners Book. There were 25,000 students who entered the Ohio competition. Her story was chosen as the winning story, and she recently received the Promising Young Talent Award at the Power of the Pen awards ceremony in Wooster.

The award includes a $24,000 scholarship to the College of Wooster and a $500 Savings Bond.

“I was so surprised and excited when I heard I won!” Mikale said. Power of the Pen founder Lorraine Merrill said that Mikale’s story was chosen in a blind review by a published author and represents “The best of the best of teen writers in Ohio.”

Writing is something Mikale does often and with the backing and input of others. Her family has always supported literacy and learning. “Even when I was very young, my Mom and Grandmother read to me and encouraged me to write.” She considers the CHUH public library to be her second home. “I love the workshops there, and the people are so supportive,” she said. She is in the library Writers Club, Book Club, and the Anime Club.

Realistic fiction is her favorite genre. “I like to write about what I feel, and I like thinking that others will then feel the same thing,” she said. “Sometimes I think you can taste the words.”

Mikale plays viola in the Heights High Symphony and at the Cleveland Music School Settlement. She plans to enroll in the Post Secondary Enrollment Option at Heights High, allowing her to take college classes while in high school. Her other interests include math, science, photography, and knitting.

Caitlin McGrath is the Roxboro Middle School Power of the Pen coach. “I am extremely proud of Mikale,” she said.