Emily Igo, a junior at South Portland High School, recently won first place in a Greater Portland regional writing competition sponsored by the Women’s Literary Union, an organization for women established over 100 years ago to promote educational and cultural events in the Portland area.

Seven local high schools select their four best junior writers to compete in this year-long program under the guidance of George Lyons, director of USM’s Professional Development Center. Chosen from the 30-plus participants, the three top writers read their papers at the annual luncheon held March 18 at the Woodfords United Church of Christ.

This year’s topic, on helping a friend or being helped by a friend through a difficult situation, brought a variety of treatments from learning perseverance on a canoeing trip to learning bravery from a dying friend to Emily’s poem on ways of “being there” for others.

Igo has previously been recognized by her school for her excellence in English during her freshman year and has also been an outstanding performer in the school’s annual musical productions. She has taken singing and dancing lessons for years and teaches dancing to younger students.

Copy the Story Link