Two North East ISD students were named national finalists in the Do the Write Thing Challenge 2008. The students Jacob Gonzalez, an eighth-grader at Jackson Middle School, and Kayla Riggs, a seventh-grader at Bush Middle School, will travel to a state event in Austin in June and Washington, D.C. in July for a recognition celebration. The students were chosen from 56 finalists in San Antonio, and this is the second time North East has had both of the national winners.

On March 8, 2008, 26 NEISD students including Gonzalez and Riggs were recognized at a luncheon at the Sheraton Gunther from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. for their efforts in the Do the Write Thing Challenge. The following NEISD students were recognized during the March 8 luncheon:

A total of 3,550 entries were submitted from the 13 NEISD middle schools - this tops last year's entries by more than 500.

The "Do the Write Thing Challenge" is a unique, collaborative effort between schools, community leaders and neighborhoods. The challenge gives seventh- and eighth-grade students the opportunity to become involved in creating a safer environment. Students are able to express themselves through a written essay that addresses the causes and impact of violence.

Participating students have submitted written entries that answered how violence has affected his/her life, what the causes of violence are and what he/she can do to reduce violence. From the entries, a "Do the Write Thing" committee will chose school finalists, who will then be narrowed down to national finalists. A book will published by the committee that contains the writings of the school and national finalists.