Every year, the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) confers Achievement Awards in Writing to high school juniors.

Students throughout the country are nominated to compete in the event by their English teachers.

The number of nominees per school is determined by the school’s total enrollment. One nominee is selected for every 500 students in tenth through the twelfth grades.

The competition is organized and judged by English teachers from both the secondary and college levels. Winners are judged by their “superior ability but also notable versatility in writing.”

This year, 2,080 students participated and 606 received awards.

Eighty-eight of the winners attend California schools, including three students from University High School.

Seniors Era Dykhne, Peter Hayes, and Devon Irete were chosen to represent Uni after completing a commentary on obesity or a persuasive essay on cell phone usage.

The students brought prestige to the school with their timed essays about the plague of “Senioritis” or on the ways that virtues can be practiced in a community. The students also submitted 10 pages of creative writing on a topic of their choice.

“ It’s always nice to be recognized, especially for something that takes a lot of time and effort,” said Dykhne. “The creative writing part of the contest was pretty frustrating for me, so I’m glad the work wasn’t wasted.”

The award places the winners in select company as the elite writers of their graduating year.

They also receive a certificate of recognition which can be attached to their college applications.

“I’m honored that the NCTE considers my writing to be at a national level of excellence,” said Hayes.

“I’m happy to be able to share this honor with two of my classmates.”

This year’s nominees will be announced in the second semester, and winners are traditionally notified in late September of the following year.