<p>“Artful Scholar: Creative Writer Uchechi Kalu Named Presidential Scholar in the Arts” (South Carolina)</p>
<p>[Artful</a> Scholars | G - The Magazine of Greenville](<a href=“http://www.gvillemag.com/feature/arts/artful_scholars]Artful”>Gvillemag.com)</p>
<p>Its no surprise that the arts thrive on the edge of Falls Park where students from all over the state live and perform at the Governors School for the Arts and Humanities. Also not amazing is the fact that these students routinely win awards. This year is no different with one honor this spring bringing recognition not only to the school, but the entire state. </p>
<p>Uchechi Kalu and Jake Ross, recent graduates and creative writing students, were among twenty individuals nationwide who were named Presidential Scholars in the Arts. . . .</p>
<p>Their teacher, Scott Gould, says its no accident that these two were honored, especially because all of the creative writing students work incredibly hard. When you have writers that practice their art that often, its not a fluke, says Gould. </p>
<p>Im really grateful that this is one of the opportunities Ive had since Ive come to the Governors Schoolits very exciting, says Ross. Uchechi Kalu echoes Rosss feeling, Without this school, I wouldnt have had the opportunity. Its a sign of what the school can do for someone who doesnt have the opportunity at home. </p>
<p>After mixing with fellow promising young artists in the capital, these two wordsmiths are on their way to even bigger things, namely college. Kalu will be hitting the books at Princeton and Ross will be attending the University of South Carolina Honors Collegeyoung scholars indeed." (continued)</p>
<p>“I cant swim. I write my Es and Fs backward. I can never remember that the Maltese Falcon is not the Baltese Falcon. I count stairs when I walk up them. My house has twelve leading upstairs, and my uncle’s house in Nigeria has twenty-two. Basically, Im full of quirks and flaws, which I love, especially since I write. Writing gives me an opportunity to explore my life and the lives around me, to turn the mundane into something worthwhile. I wont call myself a writer yet. Im not nearly old enough, or as experienced. Someday I will be, but until then Im just a girl, just a Southerner, just someone living this life and having fun doing it.” [from Presidential Scholars website]</p>