Two NESA Creative Writing students were recently recognized for their exceptional talents and work.  Amber Lyle was named first runner-up in the State Finals of the Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest.  Amber, a junior in the NESA Creative Writing program, will receive $100 and the NESA Creative Writing program will receive $200 for the purchase of poetry books for the classroom.  The Poetry Out Loud competition is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation and the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Chloe Picot-Jacobs, also a junior NESA Creative Writing student, won second place in the Awaken the Sleeping Poet contest for her poem “Daily” (Quotidien).  Chloe will receive a $75 prize from the Laurel Crown Foundation, which is dedicated to developing and promoting literary arts.  For more information about these awards visit the school's Web site at www.neisd.net/nesa/ , or contact Judith York at (210) 442-2505 or email jyork001@neisd.net.