North Middle School eighth-grader Ian Bifet was recognized as a Promising Young Writer by the National Council of Teachers of English. He received a Certificate of Recognition for Superior Performance in Writing.

Of the 163 students who were nominated for the Promising Young Writers program, only 67 received Certificates of Recognition. Each participant submitted two pieces of writing. Two independent judges evaluated each submission for content, purpose, audience, tone, word choice, organization, development and style.

The Promising Young Writers Program was established in 1985 to stimulate and recognize writing talents and to emphasize the importance of writing skills among eighth-grade students. Schools in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada, as well as American schools abroad and the Virgin Islands, are eligible to nominate students for the program.