Isabel Zedlitz: Achieving the Highest Honor with a Shell-Shocking Story
Sutton Fraley, Co-Arts & Entertainment Editor
Casady School congratulates Isabel Zedlitz (‘24) on her fantastic win in the NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) writing competition. Schools from all over the world nominate some of their most talented students to compete for national recognition of their writing in the AAW (Achievement Awards and Writing Program). This year, students came from the United States, Canada, the Virgin Islands, and American schools abroad. Out of these countries, 114 students received the First Class Designation, and that includes Isabel Zedlitz.
Isabel crafted her piece according to the writing prompt “Education First.” She curated an intentionally thought-provoking piece that forces readers to ruminate on the faults of the American education system. Her meticulous writing places the reader inside her mind and her own experiences. With great emotion and sophistication, Isabel wrote about an extremely sensitive subject, gun violence within schools. Her writing conveys the fear students endure daily while in the classroom, but also highlights the fact that fear isn't something students should just have to accept and tolerate. She speaks of the power that people hold, as well as the risk of it becoming too unbridled. A segment from her piece reads, “There are always risks in living, yet there should not be life-threatening risks in learning. Students go to schools and potentially face dangerous individuals who decide to go inside classrooms and play judge, jury, and executioner to innocent children and teachers.” Isabel not only dives into the faults of the attackers, but also the fear in children's eyes and the fear that lies in her own heart. She showcases her anger and disappointment for the education system throughout the piece. Isabel proclaims, “I’m going to write about the anger and desperation I feel, because I have no power over [gun violence within schools], but someone should do something to protect these kids.”
Here is another excerpt from Isabel's submission:
“Sixteen is too young to worry if you are in life-threatening danger at school. Thirteen is too young to be terrifyingly aware of slamming doors and running footsteps. Seven is too young to ask your mother, a teacher, if she would hide herself for you and your brother, or stay out and try to protect her students. Seven is too young to listen to her struggle to find an answer to a question you never should have had to ask.
it’s not like it hasn’t happened in schools before.
(please don’t lean down, please don’t pick up your bag, please, please, this is a school and i should never have had to worry about this)
My generation will grow up with this constant anxiety beating in our chests like a drum, our hearts ever-racing at the slightest bang. We are the product of a terrified and violent generation, the fraction of humanity who has never been so connected yet so distant.
my hands are clenched so tight my nails cut crescents into my palms my teeth are gritted and i am tense i am ready to run because i am not going to die not at sixteen not when i have so much more to do—
We must be the change we wish to see in the world, otherwise, there will never be any change at all.”
Her impactful writing will inspire generations to come. Isabel, when asked what advice she had for young writers, replied, “Don't be afraid to look for the truth, even if it's a hard truth. It can be scary sharing your writing, because it's like a little piece of your soul that is going out into the world, but most of the time, people are going to respond positively, and you will feel better for it.” Isabel wants her piece to empower others to stand up for what they believe in, no matter the backlash that comes from it. No matter what happens, spread your truth, because that is what is most valuable.”
