Plainfield South High School junior Arianna Akweley Stewart is one of 14 students nationwide whose essay was published in the 2025 spring edition of “L’Elan.”
“L’Elan” is published by the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) “Société Honoraire de Français,” the only nationally recognized honor society of high school students studying French.
Stewart submitted an essay to the society’s annual creative writing contest. The essay topic asked students to reflect on the diversity of the French-speaking world and to speak to its importance in the world today.
Seniors Bianca Hampton, Kyle Puckett, Sarah Zabelka, and junior Caroline Jankowski also submitted essays.
Stewart was surprised and excited to see her essay in the magazine, she said.
Her essay, “Diversity, where can we find it?” was inspired by her background, Stewart said.
She said her friends come from various backgrounds and cultures, and believe their differences make them good friends.
“I adore being able to share my culture and learn from theirs, and my appreciation for that is what inspired my entry, Stewart said.
PSHS Advanced Placement and Honors French teacher Sevgi Acik said this essay contest about diversity fit into her current AP French class curriculum.
Acik is extremely proud of Stewart, she said.
“Since (Stewart’s) first year in French 1, she has consistently demonstrated outstanding participation, enthusiasm, and leadership, inspiring her classmates to excel as well,” Acik said.
Regina Symonds, AATF president, commended Acik for encouraging her students to write the essays.
“How fortunate you are to have such a dedicated member of your faculty, whose student entries shine,” she said.
“The SHF Creative Writing contest evaluation teams look forward to reading student entries each year, and we respect the work of Sevgi Acik’s students, year after year.”