Maggie Millner, an area high school senior, has a poetic way with words, according to organizers of a national program that chose her for an arts residency next week.
Millner, 17, a senior at Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School, is among 141 students from across the country chosen for youngARTS.
This year's recipients were chosen from among 6,000 applicants in performing, literary and visual arts. The program rewards exceptionally talented 17- and 18-year-old artists with an expenses-paid residency in Miami, a release from youngARTS said.
Participants will attend workshops, mentoring conferences and performances from Jan. 12 to 18.
Millner, who has won many awards and writes for Teen Talk in The Daily Star, said the residency is an exciting opportunity.
``Poetry is my favorite,'' said Millner, who writes in free verse. Often her poetry is an avenue for self-expression, she said Sunday, and addresses topics ranging from awe of nature to relationships.
Millner, who plans to study literary arts at Brown University, said her dream is to become a college English professor.
"I'll always be a writer,'' she said.
See POETRY on Page 9
Maggie Bouck, high school English teacher at CV-S, said she was pleased to hear that youngARTS had tapped Millner, adding she is an outstanding writer. The CV-S English department traditionally has supported students' literary interests and applications to workshops and conferences, she said.
``Maggie is one of the best I've ever worked with,'' Bouck said. ``She loves the art of writing; she loves working with other people.''
Bouck said Millner ``gives back'' by encouraging other young writers and supporting literary projects. This year, she is co-president of the National English Honor Society, Bouck said, and, as editor, she has revived the school's literary magazine, ``Iridescence.''
``It's like she was born to be a writer,'' said Bouck, who has invited Millner to return to visit her classes after graduation.
NFAA and its core program, youngARTS, was established 28 years ago by Carnival Cruise Lines founder, the late Ted Arison, and his wife, Lin, to ensure the future of American art, a news release said.
"Each year, youngARTS offers the most talented of America's young artists the encouragement and means to transform their dreams into a reality as it has done for many of our alumni," Christina DePaul, NFAA president and chief executive officer, said in the release.
Past recipients include three-time Tony Award-nominee Raúl Esparza, who will be honored at a concluding gala event. The 141 youngARTS recipients will also become eligible for selection as a United States Presidential Scholar in the Arts.
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