MIDDLE SCHOOL

Opening Night with a Twist by Ayla Roden, 8^th grade, PPS CAPA 6-12 

On the opening night of the Oak Hills high school musical, everything begins to unravel behind the scenes. When the lead actor is suddenly unable to perform, a shy ensemble member is thrust into the spotlight with little time to prepare. As technical mishaps pile up and tensions rise, the cast and crew scramble to pull the show together before the curtain goes up.

The Not So Epic Epic of Kyle and Thaddeus by Suprem Chauhan and Sanyog Pokhrel, 8^th grade, Belle Vernon Middle School

When a self-proclaimed heroic knight is sent on a quest to retrieve a legendary treasure by a cranky king, he reluctantly teams up with an eccentric and unpredictable wizard. As the pair journeys through a dangerous forest filled with magical obstacles, their clashing personalities lead to unexpected challenges, unlikely teamwork, and a growing partnership. Together, they push forward toward the promise of riches, only to discover that not every quest ends the way it’s supposed to.

The Weight of Nothing by Riley Kellar, 7^th grade, Keystone Oaks Middle School

In an ordinary classroom, a group of students begin to feel something they cannot name—a pressure that lingers, shifts, and grows. As fragmented conversations unfold and inner thoughts take shape, their shared experiences begin to surface. Moving between silence, confession, and connection, the group explores what it means to carry something invisible, and what changes when it is no longer carried alone.

HIGH SCHOOL

The Prince and the Poet by Jack Longstreth, 11^th grade, Fort Cherry High School

After the sudden death of his father, a young prince is thrust into power and struggles to meet the expectations of the crown. As he prepares to rule, he is visited by the Poet, a reflection of the part of himself he has tried to suppress. As pressures mount and difficult decisions reshape his kingdom, the prince must choose what kind of leader he will become, and what parts of himself he is willing to leave behind.

P1: Downtown by Justus Payne, 9^th Grade, PPS CAPA 6-12

A group of strangers wait for a delayed bus on a foggy morning in Pittsburgh’s East Liberty. As time stretches and tensions rise, conversations shift from small talk to personal history, conflict, and unexpected connections. When news of a violent incident on the bus line emerges, the group is forced to confront difficult choices about responsibility, urgency, and whether to stay or move on.

My Own Sonnet 18 by Elroy Jung, 10^th grade, North Allegheny High School

After earning a spot on her fencing team’s varsity lineup, Zoey finds herself pushed outside her comfort zone and into unfamiliar territory. With encouragement from her friends, she sets out to confess her feelings to a classmate, relying on a well-meaning but unreliable “wingman” to help her along the way. As messages are misdelivered, plans unravel, and expectations shift, Zoey must navigate uncertainty, friendship, and the reality of putting her feelings into words for the first time.