Cape Girardeau County prosecutor awards winners of sixth-grade writing competition at Central Middle School

Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle spent his Friday morning in the classroom rather than the courtroom.

Thirteen sixth graders at Cape Girardeau Central Middle School started their day in Margaret Yates' classroom awaiting the results of their writing competition sponsored by Swingle.

"He spent his spring break grading your papers," said Yates, a communication arts teacher.

Swingle, author of three books and one short story, spoke to the students at an assembly earlier in the year about mystery writing. With help from the teachers he arranged a competition, which was optional for students.

"I hopped on my bike and headed through the trees. We are on the edge now. The edge of a new dawn," Swingle said, reading the last line Ryan Helle's science fiction story.

Swingle read excerpts and critiqued their tales of mysterious talking dogs, dognapping and retired detective Chuck McMuffin.

"So this is almost like the first chapter of a book," Swingle said of Ryan's story.

"It is the first chapter," Ryan said quickly. He said he planned to continue writing his saga about a hovercraft invasion.

Communication arts teacher Jennifer Stevens said the project gave students more confidence to work on their writing.

"I know several of those students and they just love to write," Stevens said.

The students spent about six weeks writing and editing their stories outside of class, she said. Stevens said she wants to continue the contest as an annual project so it can be incorporated into classroom work.

Swingle told the students to never be afraid to let someone edit their work. At times, he pointed out legal inaccuracies in their stories, including one containing a confession prompted by a police interrogation with a gun.

"That confession would have been inadmissible in court," he said.

Swingle said he spent about five hours judging and writing critiques of the stories. He awarded money prizes to the top three students. Erica Scott won first place with a story about a time travel murder investigation.

"I really think this story is publishable," Swingle said.

Madeleine McDonald received second place, and Dymond Gardner placed third.

"I thought sixth graders, how good are they going to be," Swingle said. "Turns out I was delighted at how good they were."

He said their legal perspective was enlightening, including the unlawful interrogation.

"You wonder if she really thinks it works that way," Swingle said.

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

1900 Thilenius St. Cape Girardeau, MO