Shady Side Academy's Eliyah Roberts honored by CMU for poetry

Shady Side Academy sophomore Eliyah Roberts was honored by Carnegie Mellon University during its Martin Luther King Jr. Day Writing Awards program.

Roberts' poem, “You Better Aim at the Sky,” was recognized as the best entry submitted by an SSA student during the event Jan. 15.

“It was honor to be recognized because as a society we all need to expand our knowledge about different cultural and racial groups and backgrounds,” Roberts said. “This will allow us to truly connect with one another and learn more about the world we live in.”

Roberts was among 34 students who were honored in poetry and prose in high school and college categories at the ceremony. The awards program was established in 1999 to students a creative space to explore racial and cultural differences. It is open to all high school and college students in the Pittsburgh area.

Tawnya Panizzi is a staff writer for the Tribune-Review. Reach her at 412-782-2121, ext. 2, tpanizzi@tribweb.com or via Twitter@tawnyatrib.