The Ozarks Writing Project (OWP), a project of Missouri State University’s Center for Writing in College, Career and Community (CWCCC), will welcome students in grades 9-12 to the campus of Missouri State for its High School Writing Conference, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Dec. 9 at Strong Hall and the Plaster Student Union Theater.

Registration is $45 and can be completed online for students and teachers.

This year is the first time that high school students will have the opportunity to experience a writing conference sponsored by the OWP.

“We were inspired by the success of our annual Youth Writing Conference for grades 5-8, which has occurred for nine years and averages about 600 students a year,” said Dr. Keri Franklin, director of the CWCCC. “We wanted to offer the same rich writing experiences for high school writers.”

What students will learn

According to Franklin, the conference will prepare students for the highly integrative and collaborative atmosphere of the 21st century.

“Students are entering a world in which creative collaboration and effective written communication are key,” said Franklin. “Our conference will invite students to learn in a collaborative environment, enabling them to think, write and share with others who love to write.”

Some of the most talented teacher-writers in southwest Missouri will conduct sessions designed to inspire students to “Make Your Statement, Write Your Story.” Session topics include script writing, parody, slam poetry, comic books and graphic novels, making money from writing, flash fiction and a writing marathon.

“High school students have the most creative minds and a talent for thinking outside of the box,” said Franklin. “When they get together in a collaborative environment with their peers, the possibilities are endless.”

The conference will conclude with an open mic session at 2:30 p.m. in the Plaster Student Union Theater that will feature student writings from the day. The open mic session is free and open to the public.

For a complete list of writing session offerings, visit the conference website.

For more information, contact Franklin at 417-836-3752.