South Atlanta CAD’s Derralyn Morgan places 2nd in Turner Voices Competition

For the past two months, Marietou Keita, Derralyn Morgan, Sanovia Dossie, and Mercedes Brown from South Atlanta CAD have been participating in the Turner Voices competition with their Social Studies teacher, Rhea Gupta. Ms. Gupta was given the opportunity to take four students to the CNN center for three writing workshops. The purpose of the competition is to hear Atlanta’s youth voice. So, 30 students from various Metro area schools (South Atlanta CAD, Washington, Tri-Cities, and Berkmar High School) were chosen to participate. With Ms. Gupta and their mentors students have been writing essay on “how education transforms”. They were allowed to craft essays however they interpreted this prompt making sure their voices shone through.

All workshops were held afterschool at the CNN Center from 6-8:30pm. During these workshops students were paired with writers, editors and personalities from CNN, TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network and other Turner networks. During each workshop these Journalism professionals have been working with the children on their pieces of writing as well as sharing stories about their careers and educational pathways. Outside of these workshops these four students have stayed with Ms. Gupta almost every day afterschool to work on their essays. The contest ended two weeks ago and all CAD students had semifinal round quality essays but Derralyn Morgan placed 2nd in the entire city! The difference between Derralyn and the first place winner was only one point. Representatives from Turner were so impressed by these CAD students they shared with Ms. Gupta that they had never met more poised, articulate and bright young adults. Congratulations Marietou, Derralyn, Sanovia and Mercedes!

written by Jarod Scott, Principal at the South Atlanta School of Computer Animation and Design