Newark Public Schools Student Amiyah Morgan Wins Second Place in National Monologue Contest

NEWARK, N.J. – Amiyah Morgan, a talented eighth grader from Camden Street School, has earned second place in Drama Notebook’s national Monologue Contest. The monthly contest has international visibility as students from the United Kingdom also participate in the contest.

Amiyah’s monologue is an emotionally rich perspective on the experience of an absent parent, marked by her original voice, thoughtful questions, and striking moments of introspection.

“Amiyah Morgan represents the extraordinary creativity and courage we see every day in Newark Public Schools,” said Superintendent León. “Her monologue reflects a level of emotional honesty and artistic maturity well beyond her years. We are incredibly proud of her accomplishment and thrilled to see her work recognized on a national stage.”

“Amiyah’s voice is powerful and authentic, and her success reminds us why the arts matter so deeply in the lives of young people,” said Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “The Board congratulates her on this outstanding recognition.”

The Drama Notebook editorial team praised Amiyah’s work for its depth and authenticity, noting that the monologue has beautiful moments and questions, as seen in the following excerpt:

Every birthday, every little win, every bad day…there’s this empty space where he should be…

Sometimes I try to imagine him – what his voice would sound like if he told me he was proud, what it would feel like to call someone “Dad.” But then I remember – he chose to leave…

…I know now it’s not my fault. But sometimes I just wonder, wasn’t I worth staying for?

As part of her recognition, Amiyah’s monologue is published on the Drama Notebook website, giving it national visibility among educators and young performers.