Victoria Alvear Rodríguez, a seventh grade student at Southwest Middle School, was named National Ambassador of Mecklenburg County at the annual “Do the Write Thing” Awards Ceremony April 27. Her teacher, Erika “Rikki” Jarrett, was also recognized.

“Do the Write Thing” is a writing program for middle school students to think about how youth violence has affected their lives and consider what they can do about it. The program targets middle school students because of experiences shaping their lives and the opportunities they possess to determine new directions.

In her essay, Victoria wrote of the bullying and pain she endured after arriving in the U.S. from Ecuador. She describes the shame she felt at school for being different and the feeling that she would never be accepted, before making the decision to change schools.

“As time went on, I began to feel pride for my culture,” she wrote. “I felt proud to be Hispanic because there was no longer anyone to judge me or make fun of me for being an immigrant. Although I was able to heal, I believe if I had never moved or learned to love my heritage, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”

In July, Victoria, a parent or guardian, and Jarrett will have an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., where Victoria will represent her peers during the National Campaign to Stop Violence Recognition Week. She also will be able to see her work placed in the Library of Congress, visit national landmarks, learn more about the nation’s capital and the federal government, and attend the national “Do the Write Thing” recognition dinner.

Wilson STEM Academy won the “Most Essays” award with 58 submissions and will receive $300 worth of school supplies. Students from 11 CMS schools submitted 325 essays this year.

For the writing challenge, students could use any form of written expression, such as essays, poems, plays or songs. Common themes addressed by the students included domestic violence, bullying and cyberbullying, violence against the LGBTQ+ community, physical assaults, alcohol or drug abuse, and fear of law enforcement.

“Do the Write Thing” is an initiative of the National Campaign to Stop Violence and a  partnership among Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Mecklenburg County Community Support Services’ Prevention and Intervention Services division, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Please see the following “Do the Write Thing” finalists, followed by their teachers:

Bailey Middle

• Christian-Grace Jenkins | Jeffrey Kintigh
• Sahil Kothadia | Jeffrey Kintigh
• Ella Napier | Jeffrey Kintigh

Carmel Middle

• Madalyn Hively | Lisa Bodack
• Ashley McGrath | Sarah Click
• Lillian Riley | Sarah Hudson

Kennedy Middle

• Covoh Heaven Buenaflor | William Mel Coranes Paglinawan
• Andrea Ramirez | William Mel Coranes Paglinawan
• Julianna Gunshinan | Kelly McNeirney

Northeast Middle

• Catherine Clinkscales | Abigail Watkins
• Alivia Eiland | Remy Simpson
• Yuritza Galdamez | Jana Jackson

Northridge Middle

• Sky Albrecht | Kristina Strong-Smith
• Keila Bonilla | Kristina Strong-Smith
• Isabella Martinez Gonzalez | Kristina Strong-Smith

Piedmont Middle

• Kerrington Roberts | Wyounda Horton
• Jayceon Jordan | Ciara Sykes
• Etta Costanzo | Avery Bruchis

Southwest Middle

• Joziah Harris | Erika Jarrett
• Adriana Mcdavid | Erika Jarrett
• Victoria Alvear Rodriguez | Erika Jarrett

Whitewater Middle

• DeShawn Motley | Ernisha Ballard
• Aaliyah Hearn | Jennifer Heymann
• Amaya Bryant | Keturah Clark-Weathers

Wilson STEM Academy

• Brenner Torrence-Davis | Lashonda Alexander
• Zakariah Brown | Lashonda Alexander
• Dermani Thompson | Lashonda Alexander

Walter G. Byers

• Lucas McGriff | Crystal Oliver
• Nayomi Murray | Crystal Oliver
• Craig Weary | Crystal Oliver