This year’s M.R. Robinson National Constitution Center American National Tree Award invited rising 8th to 12th grade Gold Key recipients to write short biographical essays about 5 American activists, including: Albert Snyder, Edward Schempp, Bayard Rustin, Maya Angelou…and the incredible Nellie Bly!
For their efforts, one student receives a scholarship of $1,000 and an excerpt of their award-winning work is engraved on a brand-new leaf of the Constitution Center’s popular exhibit, the American National Tree.
More than 170 students heeded the call, and a panel from the 2013 National Student Poets Program picked their favorites for the National Constitution Center to review. One particular essay stood head and shoulders above the rest.
About a young female journalist, by a young female journalist, Isabelle Breier’s profile of Nellie Bly was inscribed on a leaf, bound on an historic tree, and celebrated this year on National Constitution Day, September 17 amid fanfare, photo opportunities and naturally, press coverage! Joining Isabelle and her family as a special guest, Philadelphia’s ABC-TV investigative reporter Nydia Han rounded out a trio of inspired and inspiring women writers; Executive Director and CEO of the National Constitution Center and the Alliance’s Senior Manager Scott Larner took part in the festivities as well.
Why Bly? Her courage and determination wowed the 15-year-old from Connecticut.
“She was fearless in her pursuit of justice,” says Isabelle, and “a phenomenal role model! I believe that we should all seek to expose and rectify the ills of society, as well as champion human rights.”
In the wake of this award, Isabelle says she’s revved up to write and submit even more writing to the 2015 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards: “More short stories…and I may even branch out into poetry, flash fiction or humor,” she reports. We invite you to join her—register by clicking here today!