Christina Franco, a junior from Lynbrook High School, recently earned a Certificate of Nomination in the Achievement Awards in Writing Program, sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of English. She is one of 233 high school juniors to be selected for two of the writing pieces she entered into the contest. This includes a writing submission which answered the 2020 Achievement Awards in Writing prompt, “Why Do I Write?” 

The NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing is a school-based writing program that encourages high school students to write and honors some of the best student-writers in the country. High school juniors from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, American schools abroad and the Virgin Islands are challenged to take part in the annual contest. The participants are judged by teachers from across the nation for their expression of voice, language use and unique perspective and voice. Franco found out about the contest through her English teacher Louise McCartin.

“It’s a difficult teaching task to help students understand ‘voice’ in writing, much less employ it,” said Ms. McCartin. “Christina’s words resonate with the voice of determination, curiosity, honesty, imagination and inspiration. And she embodies all those qualities. She is a humble but fearless learner willing to take risks…she is so deserving of this recognition.” 

Congratulations, Christina!