West Anchorage High School student Anna Lance was honored as one of America's National Student Poets in a ceremony at the White House on Thursday. Lance, 17, was among the five teens selected through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards program. First lady Michelle Obama, who presented the awards, said the program received 20,000 submissions for this year's honors.
In addition to receiving a $5,000 scholarship, each winner is expected to promote the reading, writing and appreciation of poetry among young people and the general public during a year of service. As "literary ambassadors," each will host workshops, give readings and take part in poetry-focused service projects in their communities.