La Canada Preparatory eighth grader Arina Vahramyan has been named a 2025 Promising Young Writer by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). This prestigious honor recognizes exceptional writing talent among eighth-grade students across the nation and around the world.
The Promising Young Writers Program, established in 1985, reflects NCTE’s dedication to nurturing student writers and elevating the importance of strong writing skills at an early age.
This year’s prompt invited students to reflect on the theme: Where are you from? Where is home to you? In her heartfelt essay, Vahramyan explored the depth of what it means to be a daughter, a big sister, and a proud member of a close-knit family. Through vivid storytelling and thoughtful reflection, she conveyed a strong sense of identity and belonging.
Out of 226 nominated students representing 34 states, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., and countries including India, Russia, and Taiwan, Vahramyan’s work stood out. Each submission was evaluated by independent judges on a range of criteria, including voice, clarity, organization, development, and style.