Downers Grove North Students Earn Creative Writing Awards

Downers Grove IL

02 February, 2022

12:36 PM

Description

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Five students from Downers Grove North High School were honored with creative writing awards from Midwest Region Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Of the winners, Madeline Riske earned a gold key award for her poem, "A Forbidden Prayer," making her eligible to win a national award from the program in spring The following awards were given to Downers Grove North writing students: Grace Beacom Silver key award for poetry Rebecca Orjala Honorable mention for three poems Christina Powell Silver key award for novel writing Silver key award for poetry Honorable mention for flash fiction Honorable mention for writing portfolio Madeline Riske Gold key award for poetry Silver key award for two poems Silver key award for novel writing Silver key award for short story Honorable mention for writing portfolio Madison Smith Honorable mention for short story "We are overjoyed to celebrate Madeline Riske, Christina Powell, Grace Beacom, Madison Smith, and Rebecca Orjala," Downers Grove North English teacher Lauren Schlesinger said in a statement. Schlesinger added, "All five of these senior writers sharpened their craft during our creative writing course and worked countless hours outside of school to draft, re-write, confer, edit, and revise their poems and stories for the 2022 Scholastic Writing competition. I am confident that each of these seniors will continue writing beyond Downers Grove North and further develop their careers as skilled writers and accomplished poets." The Midwest Region Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are presented by the Belin-Blank Center at the University of Iowa.