Jefferson Middle School student Elly Bleier and Mellon Middle School students Emma Dougherty and Madelyn Rice were recognized for their exceptional writing skills in the Promising Young Writers program sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). The students were among the 85 students across the nation who received Certificates of Recognition.

According to the NCTE website, the Promising Young Writers program was established in 1985 to stimulate and recognize student's writing talents and to emphasize the importance of writing skills among eighth-grade students. Students currently in the eighth-grade who are nominated by their schools may participate in the program.  This year, 276 students were nominated. Of that number, 85 received Certificates of Recognition and 191 received Certificates of Participation. Each student submitted two pieces of writing, which were read by two judges. Papers were judged on content, purpose, audience, tone, word choice, organization, development,and style.

Congratulations to our students and their teachers for this outstanding academic recognition.