‘A powerful read.’ Michelle Obama honors aspiring writer from Keller Timber Creek

Madison Corzine aspires to be a writer. And her work is impressing some folks in high places.

One of the most highly esteemed persons in the world, in fact.

Madison, a recent Keller Timber Creek graduate, is one of five seniors nationwide to receive a 2023 Penguin Random House Creative Writing Award. And, as if that wasn’t enough of an honor, she made history by being the only recipient of a new accolade.

Madison was granted the first-ever Michelle Obama Award for Memoir, a new addition to the awards. It was for her work entitled “What I Wish I Knew: A Suburban Black Girl’s Guide.”

This award was established in collaboration with We Need Diverse Books, a national organization that advocates for diversity in children’s literature.

”I admire Mrs. Obama for her tenacity, intellect, grace, and style. It means a lot that she read my writing and connected with my experience,” Madison said. “It was a honor for her to use her platform to elevate my work and give voice to those that share my experience.”

Madison was searching the internet for scholarship opportunities when she came across the contest. She thought of her essay and, with encouragement from her mother, Shalunda, decided to submit it for consideration.

It was more than considered. It was deemed the best in the country by none other than the former first lady herself, who posted on Instagram how impressed she was.

”I’m excited to share that Madison Corzine is the first-ever recipient of the Michelle Obama Award for Memoir!” Obama posted, calling the essay “a powerful read and I knew I had to share it with you.

”It’s not easy to be vulnerable about your experiences with the world, especially if you’re a young person who is still finding your place in it. That’s why I could not be prouder of Madison, and can’t wait to see all that she’ll accomplish once she heads to college this fall.”

Madison’s essay, which also earned her a $10,000 scholarship from Penguin Random House, is a narrative that describes how to survive middle school as a suburban Black girl. She said it’s also a love letter to her younger self.

”It is a window into a world that may not be familiar to some. It’s a guide based on my past experiences that allows me to vocalize microaggressions and take back my power,” she said.

Interestingly, this was also the first award Madison has ever won for her writing. She is, however, no stranger to the spotlight.

She was named National Miss Juneteenth 2022 and uses her platform to advocate for equality in advanced academics by ending period poverty for brown and Black girls. She is the founder and CEO of the nonprofit Pragmatic Prodigies, which is dedicated to inspiring and empowering underrepresented and marginalized youth to excel academically through participation in dual-enrollment, advanced curricula, and community service.

Madison graduated high school at only 16. She is an aspiring attorney and social justice advocate with plans to attend Spelman College in Atlanta. She also volunteers as a teen attorney and is chair of the North Texas High School Voter Registration Day.

”My husband and I are extremely proud of Madison’s accomplishments. As an early high school graduate and earning her associate of arts degree from TCC, she has excelled academically and socially,” Shalunda said. “She has a caring and giving heart and uses her voice to give back to her community.”

Madison plans to do more writing. In fact, she’d like to publish a young adult series.

While there is no awards banquet planned, Madison said winners of the Penguin Random House awards will participate in professional development workshops this summer, including one-on-one coaching from editors.

And though nothing is in the works, you never know what the future holds, especially now that they have this award in common. After all, the former first lady is already a fan.

”I have not met her, but of course if the opportunity presents itself I would love it!” Madison said excitedly.