Summit View High School graduate Destiny Lish is now an award-winning writer. Lish, who graduated earlier this year, received the Gold Key award for poetry from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards’ Alliance for Young Artists and Writers.

“I was convinced by my very amazing English teacher to submit my work,” Lish said, referring to SVHS teacher Karen Guenther. From there, Lish largely forgot about the submission until she received an email a couple of months later.

“It was unreal; it was truly unbelievable to learn that I had actually won,” Lish said. “As much as I love the award and the opportunities it has given me, I am more than thankful for the fact that I can now be confident in my writing. It is an incredible feeling and I love that my teacher helped me see that.”

Lish’s poem “His face, her body” (see inset) focuses on her relationship with her father. “I am very stubborn, and I happen to get that from him,” Lish said. “The poem was not only about how my dad and I have always looked similar, but symbolized how I was growing to love being like him. He not only inspired the poem, but has inspired me in every way in my life.”

Lish said her goal, post-graduation, is to become an elementary school teacher. She is currently working to become an early learning instructor at a local learning center.

Located on the CASEE campus in Brush Prairie, Summit View High School is an alternative learning program for students in grades 9-12. It is designed to help students set their own pace for graduation. Students work mainly from home, with in-person help available by appointment.

Scholastic Awards have been presented since 1923. Winners include Amanda Gorman, Kay WalkingStick, Stephen King, Andy Warhol, Joyce Carol Oates and many others. Gold Key works automatically advance to the national level of judging in New York City. National medalists will be announced on June 11, 2024.

His Face, Her Body

By Destiny Lish

His nose, the slight hill on the bridge of it, sits on her face.
His big mouth, telling it how it is, spits fiery comments out of her lips.
His eyes, soft and kind, are sunken into her sockets.
You look just like him, was not a comment a little lady wanted to hear.
But now these words are spoken, and she is proud.
Proud of her having her father’s face.
His kindness, soulful and whole-hearted, is who she strives to be.
His willpower, always keeping him going, is what she has admired.
His trust, needing those around him, is what she aims to keep.
His face, her body.
She is proud to have her father’s face.
She strives to have his kindness.
She admires his willpower.
She aims to keep his trust.
Her father, his daughter.
His face, her body.

Summit View High School

Recent grad wins major award for her original poem