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Brentwood Hosts Heartfelt 32nd Annual Young Authors Night

The Brentwood Union Free School District proudly hosted its 32nd annual Young Authors Night this week, celebrating student creativity and ambition.

The night celebrated student voice, creativity and identity, as families and staff gathered to honor student writers from across grade levels. This year’s theme, “My Plus, My Legacy: A Thread in Our District’s Tapestry,” invited students to reflect on the talents, passions and experiences that define who they are and who they hope to become.

Throughout the evening, students shared original work that highlighted both personal identity and future aspirations. From poems and autobiographies to digital presentations and class-created books, each piece reflected the district’s emphasis on project-based learning and authentic audiences, giving students the opportunity to express and defend their ideas with confidence.

“As I watched our students walk to the stage with such confidence to share their stories, their legacy, their plus, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride,” Superintendent Wanda Ortiz-Rivera said. “You could feel it in every corner of the room as families and staff listened so attentively. In that moment, you could truly see our vision of Graduation Plus+ come to life, as our students demonstrated strong literacy skills while also discovering their voice, their passions and who they are becoming.”

Several presentations showcased collaborative classroom projects, where students transformed their writing into published books, audio recordings and even visual “tapestries” of their work. Individual student presentations offered powerful and often personal reflections. Students explored topics ranging from cultural identity and bilingualism to perseverance, future goals and life challenges.

In a meaningful moment, Coordinator of ELA and Social Studies Trish Brockbank reflected on the evolution of the event and its lasting impact, noting how student storytelling has grown alongside technology. She emphasized that while formats have changed, the core purpose remains the same: helping students find their voice and understand their ability to make a difference.

The evening concluded with recognition of student winners and a special appearance by Brentwood seniors who previously participated in Young Authors’ Night, offering words of advice to younger students. The event closed with a medal presentation, celebrating the achievements of all participants and the collective support of teachers, staff and families who help nurture student voices.

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