The Cheltenham School District announced today that Naomi Manglos, a rising senior, earned runner-up status in The New York Times‘ “Open Letters” contest for her missive to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, “Menstruation: Why Taboo?”

“I was inspired by how little menstruation was discussed in the health classes I took,” Manglos said. “It was too embarrassing of a topic to discuss openly. I think everyone would benefit from an open discussion on menstruation. Only when we begin to educate on it can we make changes in the societal view of menstruation.”

Accordin to the announcement, the contest challenged students to write a public-facing letter about an issue important to them. Letters had to be fewer than 500 words and include two sources, one from The New York Times and one from outside The Times.

Contest judges read 11,185 submissions from teenagers around the world. They selected seven winning letters, as well as dozens of runners-up and honorable mentions.

You can read Manglos’ missive below:

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Photo: CSD