Ava ’26 recognized by National Council of Teachers of English
Congratulations to the rising senior, who has been selected for a 2025 Achievement Award in Writing by the National Council of Teachers of English.
Ava Kavalali ’26 has secured a “Superior” designation for the 2025 National Council of Teachers of English Achievement Awards in Writing. English Department Chair Freya Sachs ’01 said that Ava took the initiative to enter the piece she wrote, “Spoon Fed,” and later included it as part of her Creative Writing Project.
“I would say this piece is a combination of an essay with stanzas of a poem in between each paragraph,” Ava said. “I wrote it in this unique format to draw attention to the reader and to make my piece more memorable to the judges. I had previously written the poem a year before, but thought it went well with the essay, so I decided to include it.”
The NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing is a school-based writing program established in 1957 to encourage high school students to write and recognize some of the nation's best student writers.
This year, schools nominated 680 students. In the United States, students were nominated from 41 states, and in Washington, D.C. Teachers also nominated students from China, Guatemala, Jordan, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Thailand. Two to three independent judges evaluated each submission holistically on content, purpose, audience, tone, word choice, organization, development, and style.
This achievement is a recognition of Ava’s hard work and creativity. “It always feels good when you work hard for something and there is a positive payoff and recognition that comes with it,” said Ava.
Congratulations to Ava for her achievement.
More USN News
List of 3 news stories.
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Remembering Cassandra Teague Walker '67
Peabody Demonstration School's first African-American graduate passed away September 3, 2025. Cassandra Teague Walker '67 returned to her alma mater many times to share her experiences with young students and is featured on the 21st Avenue garage mural.Read More -
5 USN students named National Merit Semifinalists
The National Merit Scholarship Program honors seniors whose PSAT scores show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Congratulations to seniors Darcy Dove, Finch Fleming, Evan Giles, Ismaeel Moskinzada, and Lin Zheng for this honor.Read More -
Clear, restock your shelves during Fall Book Frenzy
Thank you to the many families, faculty, and staff who have donated their pre-loved books, games, and puzzles for resale. USNA continues to accept donations. Fall Book Frenzy takes place Thursday, September 25 through Saturday, September 27 in Cheek Gym. This annual used book sale benefits the Hassenfeld Library.Read More
Contact
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2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.