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Very Cool: Raiders earn regional recognition for creative writing

  • director4c
  • 14 minutes ago
  • 2 min read

"At Northbrook High School (NHS), creative writing isn’t just a class students have to take to fulfill an academic credit; it’s an experience and a space where students can explore their lives and the world around them.


Under the guidance of creative writing teacher Javier Martinez, the class’s emphasis on authentic storytelling was successful this year, with three of his students earning regional recognition in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious program for young writers and artists:


· Cloe Gonzales, 11th grade: Silver Key for poem, “The Faceless Girl.”


· Angela Reyes, 12th grade: Silver Key for flash fiction piece, “Ice Cubes,” and Honorable Mention for her poem, “Paloma.”


· Iris Funez, 12th grade: Honorable Mention for her personal memoir, “Angel.”


For Martinez, who has taught creative writing for the past 11 years, his students' recognition is humbling and meaningful.


“Even if my role was simply to provide access for my students to enter the contest, I’m thankful to play a part in the process,” said Martinez.


The students’ award-winning work explores complex and deeply personal themes, including family relationships, identity, and cultural heritage. Martinez emphasizes that this kind of writing requires both skill and courage.


“Writing is powerful. You have the ability to reach across time and space to illuminate your experiences, creating opportunities to connect with others on a more meaningful level, and this is exactly what Cloe, Angela, and Iris did,” said Martinez.


Martinez also noted that creative writing is courageous, especially when submitting a piece for competition, and that every student, regardless of whether they place, should be commended for demonstrating such bravery.


“Trusting one’s voice once writing leaves your hands makes recognition even more meaningful,” said Martinez.


That courage often happens quietly in classrooms like his, which is why recognition in programs like Scholastic is so important. For many students creative writing becomes a powerful outlet for expression and connection.


“Without a doubt, Cloe, Angela, and Iris have talent. They put an incredible amount of work into their writing, and I’m so glad they have been recognized,” said Martinez. “They each had something important to say, something profound to express that the world deserves to hear.”


Martinez hopes his students’ success will inspire their peers, reinforcing that stories matter and that creative expression has real power."

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