Georgia teenager honored for poetry at White House

NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — A Milton High School student is being honored for her creativity and writing, on a national level.

Maya Eashwaran, 17, traveled to Washington, D.C., for a reception at the White House Thursday. First lady Michelle Obama welcomed Eashwaran and other members of the 2016 National Student Poets Program during the reception.

Eashwaran, an Alpharetta native, is one of five high school students honored this year by the National Student Poets Program. The Milton High junior represents the Southeast region.

This is the fifth year first lady Michelle Obama hosted the event, honoring five of the nation's top student poets.

On Thursday, the Milton High School student even got to read her poetry to the first lady.

She called it a dream come true.

"I mean I never thought poetry would get me to the White House," Eashwaran said.

She will now serve as a poetry ambassador for one year.

The National Student Poets Program recognizes five poets in grades 10 and 11 and their original work each year. The program’s website describes it as “the country’s highest honor for young poets.”

President Obama said Thursday that the program had received over 70,000 submissions and chosen 20 poets since 2011.

Cox Media Group