One OHS student is truly writing her heart out.

Emily Francis (11) recently won a Gold Key Award for her argumentative essay that was submitted to the 2018 Missouri Region of the Scholastic Awards Contest. Of the more than 1,000 entries from throughout Missouri and Kansas City, KS, she was one of three writers to earn this top award.

“It feels really good to be recognized for my writing,” said Francis. “I’m in a place where I’m just not motivated to write as much, but I feel really accomplished when I do it and am able to be proud of a piece.”

The paper, “Rethinking Bathroom Bills,” discussed reconsidering laws that would prevent transgender or gender nonconforming people from using the bathroom of their choice. In her essay, Francis states that she believes these types of laws should not be put in place because of the discrimination and harm they would bring to transgender and gender nonconforming people.

“I was inspired to write this because of how strongly I feel about the issue and how it impacts my community,” said Francis. “I care not just for my friends and for myself, but for everyone.”

This is not the first time Francis has won this award. She previously won the Gold Key award for a paper that she submitted in eighth grade.