NEW ORLEANS – Lusher Charter School senior Madeleine LeCesne, a 2014 National Student Poet, was given the honor of introducing President Obama at the Opening of National Poetry Week in Washington DC on Friday. Madeleine was one of five chosen from over 13,000 entries nationwide for the honor of National Student Poet.
The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers partner to present the National Student Poets Program (NSPP), the country’s highest honor for young poets (grades 9-11) presenting original work. Annually, five students are selected for one year of service as literary ambassadors, each representing a different geographic region of the country.
“Lusher is so proud of Maddie and her exemplary creative and courageous way of thinking,” said Lusher CEO Kathy Riedlinger. “Maddie defines the importance of creativity in learning and critical thinking. She has been writing since elementary school and we are thrilled to see her talents and hard work recognized nationally.”
LeCesne is earning a Certificate of Artistry from Lusher studying Creative Writing with teacher Brad Richard. An accomplished creative writer, Madeleine also received an honorable mention nationally from YoungArts for a short story and was a participant in the Kenyon Review Young Writers program.
The highest performing Kindergarten-12th grade public school in the state, Lusher Charter School, a National Blue Ribbon School in partnership with Tulane University, offers a unique program that inspires imagination and intellectual curiosity. Lusher’s renowned academic program engages students and challenges them to think critically, analytically and creatively. Lusher Charter School is a 2014-2016 Exemplary School designated by the Arts Schools Network.
