Two Mars Area Middle School students took top places in The Strand Theater Initiative’s 2024 Ghost of the Strand Creative Writing Contest.

Eighth-grader Gianna Bartley received second place and seventh-grader Everly Henderson took third place in the annual contest, open to students in Grades 7-12.

The contest asked participants to write a 500-word essay on “Who Haunts the Darkened Halls & Silent Stage of The Strand Theater?” All entries were judged on creativity, descriptive imagery and proper use of language.

For details, visit www.thestrandtheater.org.