TOWNSEND — North Middlesex Regional High School students earned 10 awards in Fitchburg State University’s annual English Studies High School Writing Contest, with students recognized for essays and poetry.
According to North Middlesex Regional School District Superintendent Brad Morgan, the 2026 contest prompt focused on Fitchburg State University’s “Year of Momentum” theme. Students were asked to consider momentum through ideas including progress, change, expansion, improvement and growth — and how momentum can be exciting, invigorating or challenging.
More than 150 juniors at North Middlesex wrote creative essays and poems about momentum during their English classes, and many students volunteered to submit their work to the contest.
Each submission was reviewed by a committee of Fitchburg State University English Studies faculty, who praised the quality and promise of the writing from North Middlesex students, according to Superintendent Morgan.
A total of 33 student writers from five local high schools were honored. Ten of the awards went to North Middlesex students.
In the essay contest, Colin Taylor won first place, Cameron Troiano won second place and Abigail Ouellette won third place. Kyle Graham and Madison Mitchell received honorable mentions.
In the poetry contest, Brooke Logan won first place, Dathan Du won second place and Asher Denk-Cole won third place. Noah Mance and Kenneth Vettrus received honorable mentions.
Prizes included publication in Fitchburg State’s literary magazine, Route 2, and gift certificates to the Fitchburg State Campus Bookstore. All participants will also have their application fees and enrollment deposits waived by Fitchburg State if they apply to the university.
“This contest challenged our students to be thoughtful and creative, and our students answered the challenge with 10 award-winning pieces,” Superintendent Morgan said. “I want to thank our 11th grade English faculty for involving so many of our students in this challenge, and I want to thank Fitchburg State for providing this excellent educational opportunity.”
