Kristie Luna Pedrozo and Audra Schoen have been recognized as 2025 Promising Young Writers by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

The Promising Young Writers Program represents NCTE’s commitment to early and continuing work in the development of writing. The school-based writing program was established in 1985 to stimulate and recognize writing talents and to emphasize the importance of writing skills among eighth-grade students. Schools in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, US territories, Canada and American schools abroad are eligible to nominate students.

This year, schools nominated 226 students to participate in the Promising Young Writers Program. Students were nominated from 34 states and Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. as well as India, Russia and Taiwan. Two to three independent judges evaluated each submission holistically on content, purpose, audience, tone, word choice, organization, development and style. For the third year, the Promising Young Writers contest has four designations, with the “First Class” distinction replacing the previous Certificate of Recognition. The new distinctions are as follows:

·         First Class

·         Superior

·         Excellent

·         Merit

Nominated by their English teacher, Roxanne Migliacci, Kristie and Audra both earned the highest designation, First Class, for their writing.  Ms. Migliacci said, In addition to being talented, Kristie and Audra are passionate about creative writing. They've been sharing their writing with me 'just for fun,' and I knew entering this contest would foster that enthusiasm and the national recognition would build their confidence. They are two of only twenty-three students in New York to earn this achievement. Congratulations, Kristie and Audra!

 

Date Added: 6/10/2025