OXFORD – An Oxford Middle schooler had the surprise of her life last week, when a visiting theater group performed a skit based on a piece she had submitted as part of a creative writing contest.

Seventh Grader Evangeline Westergaard said she was both excited and a little scared when she learned her submission titled, “Teaching of Tolerance” was one of those selected to be showcased in Merry Go Round Playhouse’s ECHOES 2010 project.

The Auburn-based professional theater troupe presented a skit based on Westergaard’s work, which she said was based on a situation she and her friends encountered in the school’s lunchroom, before the entire Middle School last Wednesday. Even the seventh grader’s parents were present.

“They didn’t tell me,” she said, explaining that her parents had known her work had been selected, but managed to keep it a secret from her.

Westergaard’s submission was part of a voluntary assignment given by her 7th Grade English Teacher, Jay Bohannon. According to the educator, the submission guidelines are very broad.