July 14, 2020

To Whom It May Concern:

It is with great pleasure that I write this letter of recommendation for Nylah Robinson
Winchester. I understand that she is applying for admission to various colleges. This past year
Nylah was a student in both my English 11 and Academic Decathlon classes at Valley Charter
High School.

I became acquainted with Nylah in August of last year. One of the qualities I immediately
recognized was her excellent communication skills and her ability to get along well with her
peers. For example, in English 11, she consistently exhibited strong writing and analytical skills
in argumentative writing. This was true in both writing on demand and writing that required
revision and drafts. Nylah also excelled in recognizing the nuances in readings that man students
missed, as well as in synthesizing that evidence in her writing.

In terms of academic decathlon, a mixed-grade level class, Nylah was one of the class leaders
and served as a role model for underclassmen and her peers. She prepared diligently for the
competition, and she was one of the first students to learn her speech. She presented her speech
in a poised, passionate, and professional manner. After the competition, the class focused on
creative writing, and it was a pleasure to see that she wrote a captivating narrative. Again, she set
an example of leadership by sharing her work and providing meaningful feedback on the writing
of her classmates.

Another feature of our post-competition classwork was Socratic Seminars. After completing a
reading, students discussed the significance of the piece, and Nylah provided excellent insight. I
was so impressed with Nylah’s abilities, that when I had a substitute, I assigned a reading for the
Socratic Seminar and designated Nylah as the facilitator. The substitute left me a note with the
highest of praise detailing Nylah’s skill at leading the group.

Once again, I am happy to write this letter of recommendation for Nylah. She will provide a
wonderful contribution to your college. If you have any questions, please call me at VCHS.

Sincerely,
Maria Shreve Ruley
English, Academic Decathlon