DHT Student Wins State Writing Competition!

 

Congratulations to Cayde!

Cayde's short story, Olivia's Challenge, placed first in the state with Alabama Christian Education Association's short story competition. She received a letter from J. Robin Mears, the Executive Director of ACEA, congratulating her for her hard work and outstanding short story. 

Her story has been submitted to the national level of the competition. We are rooting for you, Cayde!

Cayde is a 6th grader who has studied the IEW method under my tutelage for two years. She is the daughter of Percy and Carol, whose diligent, faithful parenting and homeschooling is evidenced in Cayde's beautiful writing. 

Here is her award-winning story.

Olivia's Challenge

 Olivia Parker walked to her new school. Oh, why did her dad have to get a new job? Why did she have to move? Thoughts flooded her mind as she approached Jack London Elementary School.

“Here we go,” Olivia sighed as she opened the door. At least school had just started for that year.

“Excuse me ma’am,” she told the lady at the desk. “Where is the 6^th grade class?” she asked.

“What is your name young lady?” the lady asked.

“Olivia Parker,” Olivia answered, respectfully. Olivia was taking heed to what her own personal devotion was that morning.

“My name is Miss Amanda Smith. Now you’ll go down the left hallway and to the right, where the sign says Mrs. Julia Anderson.” said Miss Smith.

“Thank you,” Olivia said politely. As she walked, there was an enormous number of children going to all their classes. It wasn’t that hard to find Mrs. Anderson’s classroom, a lot of kids were going there. When Olivia entered, she saw what she wasn’t hoping for. In the front of the classroom was Lavenia Hartford and Sophia Lewis. Olivia decided not to sit next to them.

“Do you want to sit next to Sophia and me?” asked Lavenia. Olivia was shocked. Lavenia just asked if she wanted to sit next to the rich girls!

“Sure! I’d love to!” Olivia said. 

“Come, I’ll show you where our locker is,” Lavenia said, delighted. As they walked, they talked.

“I literally just figured out that we were locker partners because there is a lot more people than they thought there would be,” Lavenia explained. Olivia also figured out that Lavenia was nice, and Lavenia told her to stay away from Angel Thompson, she was one of the biggest enticers and a bully.

Class was beginning, and for the most part History, the first class was boring. Mrs. Anderson was really kind. When it came to Arithmetic Olivia was super excited, so was Lavenia, the rest of the class was not.

Months passed, and Olivia was just beginning to like Jack London. One day, Angel was daring Olivia to turn her back on God for letting her mother die. Olivia’s Mother died because a drunk driver hit her car. If Olivia took the dare, what would happen? That evening, just before bed, Olivia opened her Bible to Job 2, when she got to verse 7-9 it said, “So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. And he took him a potsherd to scrape him withal; and he sat down among the ashes. Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity?  curse God and die.” That was her problem! Angel was basically telling her to curse God! Olivia could not do that!

“Angel told me to give my answer to her tomorrow! I’ll have to quote verse 10!” she said aloud. That night she asked God to give her strength to stand up to Angel.

The next morning, she ran to school. When she came to her classroom, she went up to where the teacher should be standing to teach the class, but the teacher was not at school yet because of traffic.

 “Angel, listen to my answer. Job 2:10 says, ‘But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.’ I will not curse God, Angel!” Olivia said. Angel was shocked.

“WHAT! WHY NOT!” yelled Angel.

“Because it would be wrong,” Olivia simply stated.

“YOU’LL BE SORRY!” she shouted.

“Sorry about what?” a voice appeared in the doorway. Everyone turned.

“Mrs. Anderson!” the children said at the same time.

“Mrs. Anderson, let me explain,” said Olivia.

“Go on,” said Mrs. Anderson.

“Angel dared me to curse God yesterday. Last night I read Job Chapter 2. Today I quoted verse 10 as my answer,” Olivia said solemnly.

“That was a good answer, Olivia. As for you, Angel, I will tell your parents,” Mrs. Anderson said turning to the two girls.

That night Olivia retold the story to her father.

“Good for you! I’m proud of you!” said Papa proudly. Olivia was so happy! That night she thanked God for giving her courage and strength for being able to stand up to the bully, enticer, Angel Thompson.