An eighth-grade student at Ridgeview Middle School has been named the first-place winner in the grades 7–8 category of the 2024–2025 Letters About Literature Texas contest. Shireen V. won the statewide competition sponsored by the Texas Library and Archives Foundation and coordinated by the Texas Center for the Book.
The annual contest invites students to read a book, poem, short story, or other written work and write a letter to the author—living or dead—explaining how the work changed their view of themselves or the world. Hundreds of students from across Texas submitted entries in three categories: grades 4–6, grades 7–8, and grades 9–12.
Shireen’s winning letter is addressed to Olympic cross-country skier and author Jessie Diggins, whose memoir Brave Enough struck a deeply personal chord.
Through the memoir, Shireen said she found a mirror of her journey and a source of strength.
“A shadow shifts depending on where the light comes from,” She wrote. “And after reading your story, I realized that the light I need to find confidence is already within me.”
A competitive volleyball player, Shireen said she related to Diggins’ experience navigating body image struggles and societal expectations in athletics.
Before submitting the piece, Shireen consulted her school librarian, Linda Kay.
“As I read it, I found myself moved to tears by the powerful story she shared,” Kay said. “She beautifully captured what it means to truly see yourself reflected in a book.”
Shireen will receive a $300 prize as the first-place winner, and an additional $300 will be awarded to the Ridgeview Middle School library.
