Leander ISD is proud to recognize Naina Sivalingala, a student at Rouse High School, for being named one of 150 winners in the 16th Annual iWrite Publishing Contest, earning international recognition for her poem, “Heroes Hidden in Plain Sight.” Her work will be published in this year’s edition of the “I Write Short Stories by Kids for Kids Anthology.”
Sivalingala came across the opportunity to compete in a writing contest after noticing a flyer in her English classroom. “I wasn’t actively searching for a contest to enter,” Sivalingala said. “One day, as I walked into my English class, I noticed the iWrite competition poster on the board. While I normally don’t pay much attention to the flyers posted there, this one caught my eye, so I decided to give it a try. I certainly wasn’t expecting to win, so it was a pleasant surprise!”
Her winning poem is based on the theme for the 2025 contest, “Heroes and Superheroes.” “I wanted to highlight how we often take everyday heroes for granted — the ones who aren’t in movies or comic books, but only exist in our real lives,” Sivalingala said. “My poem is a reminder to appreciate those people and recognize the quiet, meaningful ways they’ve impacted us.”
As part of her recognition, Sivalingala will have her poem published alongside other student authors from around the state and will have the opportunity to read her work at the iWrite Annual Book Signing and Literary Festival in Bellaire, Texas, on November 1.
The honor has motivated Sivalingala to keep exploring creative outlets. “Entering contests like this offer hope that my work may resonate with others and even be recognized,” Sivalingala said. “Writing is more than just a school assignment, it’s something I enjoy. I’m incredibly grateful for fun and rewarding opportunities like this one that will help me continue to grow as a writer.”
