Ledger Staff Writer

Corinth Elementary fifth grader Jessica Ramsey and Blacksburg Middle eighth grader Candace Alge were named the district winners for this year's Lieutenant Governor Writing Contest.

Both students will be recognized by Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer at a regional meeting Monday, April 4 at Spartanburg Technical College. It is one of four regional meetings at which the lieutenant governor will recognize district winners.

Students will receive certificates and an invitation to attend a workshop for young writers at the Newberry Opera House in June of 2005.

The writing contest was started in 1979 to encourage students to improve their writing and communication skills.

Ramsey wrote the district's top elementary school essay about why South Carolina is a good place to live. Charleston was one of the reasons she cited in her essay.

Ramsey performed last weekend in Charleston with the South Carolina Honors Elementary Choir. She found out about winning the lieutenant governor's writing contest a few days before she left for the event.

"I thought I was going to pass out. I didn't think I would win, but I'm happy I did," she said. "I've always enjoyed writing ever since the third grade."

Elementary and middle school students wrote their essays for the contest in December. District judges read the best essays from each school and then determine the lieutenant governor writing contest winners.

Alge, the district's middle school winner, wrote her essay about the places she would visit if she could wave a magic wand in her backyard. Rome was among the places on the eighth grader's list.

"It was really unexpected when I won," Alge said. "I love writing. It's definitely one of my favorite things to do at school."