Liv Lefkon ’27 Earns National Recognition in Scholastic Writing Awards

Reflecting on Liv’s achievement, Scholastic Writing Awards Coordinator Elise Burke Parcha shared: “We are thrilled, and not at all surprised, that Liv’s voice has been recognized nationally. Her essay, "Ignorance is Bliss Privilege, " challenges readers to think critically about awareness, inequity, and accountability. We are overjoyed to see her deep insight and dedication to her craft celebrated on this national stage.”

AP Language teacher Anne Fleming, who guided and supported Liv throughout the development of her award-winning essay, notes her exceptional ability to combine analytical and creative writing to make a lasting, persuasive statement. “Liv’s definition of ignorance as privilege offers a strong commentary on what it means to let our ignorance serve as a crutch to dismiss or avoid confronting injustice. Her piece is powerful not just for the rhetorical tools she employs, but also for how it persuades readers to consider how their privilege can be used to remain aware, engaged, and empathetic to the experiences and needs of others.”

For Liv, Mrs. Fleming was instrumental in helping her strengthen her clarity and confidence on the page: “I am extremely thankful for the support I received in my AP Lang class from Mrs. Fleming, who pushed me to fully develop my argument and explore difficult topics.”

With this honor, Liv joins the ranks of writers like Stephen King, Joyce Carol Oates, and Amanda Gorman, all of whom won Scholastic Writing Awards as teens. In June, she will join the other national awardees in New York for Scholastic Awards Week, culminating with the National Ceremony at Carnegie Hall, where she will be recognized for her award-winning work.

“I am beyond grateful for these awards, as I wrote this piece not as a comfortable read but as a means to challenge both myself and my reader to confront uncomfortable ideas, so it is incredibly rewarding to know that my message resonated,” Liv shared.

We are so proud to celebrate both Liv’s talent and her fearless exploration of meaningful, complex topics. Stay tuned for more details on how to see her work featured in the Scholastic online galleries, and join us in celebrating her incredible accomplishments.