Brooks’ Sabbah and Czajka Earn Regional Writing Honors

Two Brooks Middle School eighth grade honor students are regional winners in the National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards for 2013.

Sara Sabbah received a “Gold Key” in regional competition for her poem “Mors Est Promissio.” Katie Czajka received a “Silver Key” for a multi-media piece about bullying and an Honorable Mention for her persuasive writing piece “Outlaw Texting and Driving.”

Sabbah, who hopes to be an English teacher, said her poem involved some “deep thinking” about imagery and human emotions and describing things as she sees them.

“I’m really happy about this,” Sabbah said. “When I wrote this, I didn’t even think I would get any mention.”

Czajka, who is a member of the Brooks Scholastic Bowl and Math teams and also participates in the drama program, based her essay on an actual accident involving texting and driving. She hopes to be a lawyer someday.

“I was pretty surprised when I heard I had won,” she said.

“I am so lucky to have these two. They are the cream of the honors crop,” said Brooks 8^th grade language arts teacher Sally Green. “They have really, really natural gifts.”

The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, a nonprofit organization, identifies teenagers with exceptional artistic and literary talent and brings their  work to a national audience through The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. The Awards have an impressive legacy dating back to 1923 and a noteworthy roster of past winners including Andy Warhol, Sylvia Plath, Truman Capote, Robert Redford and Joyce Carol Oates.

Teens in grades 7 through 12 can apply in 28 categories of art and writing for the chance to earn scholarships and have their works exhibited or published.

Editor's note: This article was submitted by Valley View School District 365U.