Spring ISD Rising Writers Expo Honors 382 Young Authors and the Stories Only They Could Tell
On January 29, the cafeteria at Dekaney High School transformed into a celebration of creativity, courage, and the written word. Spring ISD welcomed students, families, and teachers from across the district for its fifth annual Rising Writers Expo, a heartwarming event that gave young writers a well-earned moment in the spotlight.
The event’s theme this year—Once Upon Our Time—felt especially fitting, as students from elementary through high school shared their poems, short stories, and essays, many drawing from personal experience. Some were funny. Some were raw. All were deeply personal. More than 380 students were recognized for their work, and 174 earned medals for outstanding writing.
“This event is about more than just writing—it’s about seeing students for who they are,” said Christin Kimball, Reading Academy Specialist with Spring ISD. “For some kids, writing is their outlet, their way of connecting to the world. Rising Writers gives them a place to be heard.”
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Tables throughout the venue were filled with student-created books and printed stories. Fifth grader Gabriella Razo from Bammel Elementary beamed as she talked about the story she wrote, inspired by her love of music. “People are coming up to ask lots of questions about my writing,” she said, glowing with pride. “It makes me feel really good and accomplished, especially because my family is here.”
Third grader Demarcus Robertson from Thompson Elementary took a different route, writing about football and characters inspired by the game Subway Surfers. “I have a lot of cool stuff in my book and this is my second interview of the day,” he said, clearly enjoying the moment. “I practiced for this.”
The evening also celebrated a powerful milestone for 16 Wells Middle School students receiving special education services. Over the past three years, they’ve co-authored a series of books as part of The Can-Do Book project. With Things We Like and Our Favorite Animals already published, their next title—Discovering the World—is on its way.
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And then there’s Abigail John, a sixth grader from Roberson Middle School, who’s already two books deep into her own Amazon-published series. “Rising Writers helps students get inspired,” she said. “Knowing how to write is so important—not just to become an author, but for college, for life. It’s a skill that will always matter.”
Superintendent Dr. Kregg Cuellar closed out the night by reflecting on what the students had shared. “Writing connects us,” he said. “These stories show the heart, the grit, and the dreams of our students. Whether they’re just starting out or already publishing books, every voice here matters.”
In a world often dominated by fast-moving headlines and fleeting trends, the Rising Writers Expo offered a pause—a chance to listen, to reflect, and to recognize the power of young voices. One story at a time, Spring ISD’s students are writing their way into the future. And it’s a future worth reading.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.