Filiz F. ’26 Published in Adroit Literary Magazine

Poly is thrilled to celebrate an extraordinary achievement: Filiz F. ’26 has been published in The Adroit Journal, a literary magazine. The inclusion is quite an honor, as the publication features the work of established writers with advanced degrees, and Filiz’s moving essay fits in alongside the other work. 

"Filiz is a gifted writer with a knack for creating strong sensory impressions to develop her themes," said Upper School English Teacher L. Holmgren, who has worked closely with Filiz in Poly’s creative writing electives. "Her strong personal voice, mastery of different genres, and ear for the tempo and rhythm of language all contribute to her powerfully evocative pieces."

Fellow English teacher Laura Marion, echoed these sentiments, noting Filiz’s rare ability to bridge creative and analytical writing. "I first met her as a sophomore, and it was clear from the start that she had a real interest in language," Marion shared. "She has a wonderful voice—poetic with great use of figurative language and imagery—but she’s also able to use that creativity to craft complex and compelling arguments. You can tell that she doesn’t just write; she rewrites and refines until she gets it just right."

Filiz’s literary journey at Poly has been shaped by the school's commitment to nurturing student voices, from the creative writing courses to the vibrant Writers Center community. "From sixth-grade English to my American Studies class this year, I’ve always appreciated how Poly’s curriculum makes space for creative expression," Filiz reflected. "Ms. Marion’s feedback has been instrumental, and Ms. Holmgren always reminds me that my work is meaningful and worthy of recognition. That encouragement has meant everything."

Over the past two years, Filiz has earned multiple Scholastic Writing Awards—including two national silver medals, an American Voices nomination, as well as four regional Gold Keys, four Silver Keys, and seven honorable mentions. She was a runner-up in The New York Times Summer Reading Contest, placed second in an international sijo competition, and was a topical winner in the National Poetry Quarterly’s Just Poetry contest. Earlier this year, she also presented at the Archer School for Girls’ Literature &… Conference, a meaningful opportunity that allowed her to connect with fellow young writers.

Filiz's creative ambitions remain grounded yet aspirational. "My main hope is to continue developing my writing skills," she said. "This summer, I’ll attend the Iowa Young Writers’ Workshop, where I’ll get to experiment with new forms and refine my voice."