By Candice Ludlow
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkno/local-wkno-959973.mp3
Memphis, TN – Arlington Middle School 8th grader Halley Brown is one of two winners from Shelby County of a national essay writing contest. Her prize: she's headed to Washington to meet the President. Brown came into the studio to read excerpts and talk to Candice Ludlow. Brown's essay is called "The Fight Against Teen Violence."
"Please, stop." Katie breathed, her small voice just barely above a whisper. Adrenaline pumped through her veins as the boy cornered her into a position where she had no place to run. She pressed her back against then cold, brick alley wall and squeezed her eyes shut, wishing she could transport herself back into her warm bedroom."
Brown says Katie in the essay came from her imagination. Not her life. But her essay also draws from her life.
To hear more, listen to the interview. Brown won the "Do the Write Thing Challenge," a national essay competition.
More than 1,800 Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools students entered the contest. Fifty-eight of those students made the finals, and they'll be honored at the Grizzles game on March 30th.
Muhammad Feroze, an 8th grade student at Schilling Farms Middle School is the other winner. He, too, will go to Washington to meet the President.