2009 City Highlights

San Antonio, Texas

On February 21, 2009, San Antonio Do the Write Thing Challenge students and their families, teachers, principals and superintendents were honored at a recognition ceremony and luncheon at the Sheraton Gunter Hotel.   More than 4,200 seventh and eighth graders from 26 middle schools submitted written works on the causes of and solutions for youth violence.

National Recognition Ceremony 2008

In 2008, over 150,000 students nationwide participated in the "Do the Write Thing Challenge" and more than 50,000 submitted writings on how to reduce violence in their communities.

Over 50 national ambassadors, joined by their teachers and parents traveled to Washington, D.C. this past July to meet personally with their respective Members of Congress on Capitol Hill and had their book of writings presented and published in the Library of Congress.

On July 22, 2008 at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., over 300 people attended a ceremony to honor the middle-school students along with their teachers and parents.  The pre-dinner reception featured words by Senator Bob Bennett (R-UT).  United States Attorney General Michael Mukasey delivered the event's keynote address and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne provided closing remarks.  CNN anchor John Roberts served as the Master of Ceremonies.  Also in attendance were White House Chief of Staff, Josh Bolten and Office of Management and Budget Director, Jim Nussle.  Musical performances were conducted by the Ballou High School Marching Band and Bridging the Gap.