Two Mars Area students took top places in The Strand Theater Initiative’s 2017 Ghost of the Strand Creative Writing Contest.

Junior Gracie Patrick took first place for her entry, “Adelaine,” which spun the tale of a girl who didn’t know that she had died prior to her on-stage debut. Junior Samantha Jocuns received third place for her story about the ghosts of Romeo and Juliet who scare away the actors in a revival of their ill-fated tale, so that them may reprise the roles themselves.

The annual contest, open to students in Grades 7-12, asked entrants to imagine the legend of a ghost that haunts The Strand Theater in Zelienople. All entries were judged on creativity, descriptive imagery and proper use of language.

For details, visit www.thestrandtheater.org.