Putnam City North High School senior Isaac Freeman is among nine Oklahoma high school seniors and 628 seniors across the country recognized as outstanding writers in the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Achievement Awards in Writing.

Recipients were chosen from 2,359 students nominated in their junior year by their teachers, from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, Virgin Islands, and American Schools Abroad.

The NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing recognize excellence based on students’ samples of their own best prose or verse on impromptu themes that are written under supervision. A team of English teachers chose from throughout the students’ home state judges the writing, looking especially for writing that demonstrates effective and imaginative use of language to inform and move an audience.

Recipients receive a letter and certificate of commendation from NCTE, and cards recognizing their outstanding performance in writing to be included in college applications. Certificates are also sent to the high school of each winner.

In mid-September, Freeman was named a National Merit Semifinalist by officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, an honor placing him among the nation’s top high school students.