Student Showcase: St. Michael's Catholic Academy is a collaboration between St. Michael's Catholic Academy and Forefront Austin to cultivate voices of the next generation.  On a regular basis, students will develop essays that present unique perspectives in response to one of Forefront Austin’s monthly questions.  The students conduct independent research, interview community leaders and author essays for publication on Forefront Austin.  The student-developed essays are edited by Forefront Austin staff.

Creativity Essay Contest:

Question: Why should Austin embrace its creative side?

The project kicked-off soon after the Fall 2011 academic semester began, with the students engaged in a lively, far-reaching discussion on the state of the arts in Austin, led by Cliff Redd, formerly of the Long Center, and now with the University of Texas School of Natural Resources. Then, largely under the tutelage of faculty members Stephanie Stewart and Corinne Callahan, the students set-out to help show why the arts in Austin are important. A panel of Forefront judges returned to St. Michael’s six weeks later with the difficult task of trying to select the most creative, informative works.

Winning Feature Perspective: 

• Catch and Release Austin By Blake Ann Seeker

Finalists: 

• Play Me, I'm Yours, by Ellen Smith

• The Individual Identity of Austin, By Cella Mahoney