Communities In Schools partnered with the Nueces County Juvenile Justice Center in this year's national Do the Write Thing Challenge (DtWT). The Do the Write Thing Challenge (DtWT) is an initiative of the National Campaign to Stop Violence (NCSV) a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan, organization composed of community, business and governmental leaders who have come together to reduce youth violence in communities across the United States. The Do the Write Thing Challenge gives middle school students [7th and 8th grade] an opportunity to examine the impact of youth violence on their lives. Through classroom discussions and writings, students communicate what they think should be done to reduce youth violence. Recognition and acknowledgement of all participants is an integral feature of this project. Every student who submits a manuscript receives a Certificate of Recognition. Each paper is read by community volunteers who select a boy and girl with the most thought provoking writings from each school as Student Finalists. The Student Finalists, their parents/guardians, teachers, principals and superintendents are invited to a recognition celebration. The Executive Committee Readers select, from among the Student Finalists, the top two girl and boy authors as National Finalists. These students, their parents/guardians and teachers are invited, as honored guests, to the Challenge Leadership Summit in Austin. There are three days of recognition activities. Among these are Student, Teacher and Parent Congresses that draft and approve platforms stating principles which constitute a decent Society; recommending measures to counter the culture of violence and delineating the personal responsibilities of students, parents, educators and community. These platforms give the children a forum and an audience-what we learn from the student writings is profound and provides a foundation for the development of sound public policy. The platforms are presented to dignitaries in the Chamber of the Texas House of Representatives on the Do the Write Thing Day in Texas. The students and teachers are awarded proclamations from the Governor. The National Finalists, a parent/guardian of each student and their teachers are invited to the National Campaign to Stop Violence recognition events in Washington, D.C. Student Winners Falfurrias Jr. High Tiffany Barrera Marcos Casas Flour Bluff Jr. High Isabella Guerra Isaac Sutton Gregory-Portland Jr. High Keyanna Ortiz-Cedeno Klearra Ortiz-Cedeno Martin Middle School Mirna Pena Andre Saavedra Memorial Middle School Rosalyn Hernandez Cordero Mejia Rockport-Fulton Middle School Briana Garcia Crystal Teed Smith Middle School Kandy Serrano West Oso Jr. High Sarah Palomo Miguel Zavala National Finalists Isabella Guerra – Flour Bluff Jr. High Isaac Sutton – Flour Bluff Jr. High