Four Hinsdale Central Students Are Norman Mailer Writing Award Semi-Finalists!

There were only 19 students across the nation who were selected as 2014 Normal Mailer Writing Award for Creative Nonfiction semi-finalists.  What's the probability that a student from Hinsdale Central would be among them?

Would you believe that FOUR of the nineteen national semi-finalists were from Hinsdale Central?

Imagine my excitement and surprise when I found out that Julian Kanagy (Class of '14), Emily Morse ('14), Dania Noghnogh ('14), and Caitlin Wong ('14) were all selected.

I don't want to brag too much, but many of other semi-finalists come from schools that have names like "South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities" or "School for Advanced Studies."  And while the "Governor's School" had two semifinalists, no other school matched Hinsdale Central's four.  Pretty impressive for a "normal public school."

This is a remarkable achievement, demonstrating the strength and skill of our students and the caring, expert guidance of English teachers.  All four of these students were enrolled in the Honors Seminar in Writing Course.  Emily's teacher was Angelique Burrell.  Julian, Dania, and Caitlin were all students of Jared Friebel.  Of course Angelique and Jared would say that these students were coached and supported and inspired by all of their English teachers in their four years at Central.

This isn't the first time Hinsdale Central students have been recognized for this prestigious award.  Read about past students' success here and here.

According to the Award's website, the nonfiction essays were "read by national panels of teachers and writers.  They will be judged by how well they achieve several qualities, including the artful treatment of subject matter; originality; quality of insight, image, voice, and style; artful arrangement of elements and materials; and overall aesthetic, emotional or intellectual effect."  That's a pretty high standard!

If you haven't already seen the news, one Central English teacher, Andy Jones, just won first prize (which includes a trip to New York, a chance to rub shoulders with authors Billy Collins and Don DeLillo, and $5000) in a national writing contest for high school English teachers.  Read about that here.

The writing of Julian, Dania, Caitlin, and Emily (along with many other excellent Hinsdale Central student writers) can be found in the book that the English Department publishes each year: "The Best Nonfiction Writing Hinsdale Central 2014."  Read about the most recent volume here.  Let me know if you'd like to purchase a copy.

Congratulations to Julian Kanagy (Class of '14), Emily Morse ('14), Dania Noghnogh ('14), and Caitlin Wong ('14)!  I look forward to hearing about their next awards.