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A 15-year-old girl would seem the unlikely author of a script about the internal struggles of a growing young man.

But that’s exactly what PSJA North High School freshman Mariella Zavala has written about.

In fact, Mariella’s work was selected as the best in a script-writing contest for South Texans age 12 to 22.

As the winner of the contest, Mariella will work with Joshua Marston — director of the critically-acclaimed film Maria Full of Grace — to adapt her script into a short film.

The theme of this year’s contest was “What’s the real deal about masculinity?”

Mariella’s script is about a young boy who resents the abuse he witnesses his father commit against his mother, only to ultimately develop an attitude similar to that of his father.

She said her plot was based on her examination of “how men react to certain problems,” explaining that she thinks it has to do a lot with their upbringing.

“She’s very advanced for her age,” said Bryan Honl, one of Mariella’s drama teachers at PSJA North. “You wouldn’t think she’s a ninth grader, writing the way she writes.”

About 100 South Texans entered the contest, run by Scenarios USA, a non-profit organization that uses writing and filmmaking to foster youth leadership and advocacy.

The organization also held contests in Cleveland and New York City. The program started in 1999 as a pilot program at PSJA North and a New York City school. Past contests have addressed HIV/AIDS, pregnancy and peer pressure.

Honl said in addition to being a talented writer, Zavala also brings a spirited attitude to the school’s drama department.

Mariella’s victory will help her make important contacts in the film industry, Honl said. She’ll also have the chance to speak to students and teachers elsewhere about her experience.

“She has not got a clue about the opportunities ahead of her,” Honl said with a grin, beaming about his student.

As a winner, she’ll visit New York City to attend a leadership conference.

Marston is expected to work with Mariella to storyboard her scrip and shoot the movie here at home this fall. The movie should run about 20 minutes long, feature local actors and utilize professional equipment and crews.

Cable networks such as the Sundance Channel, Oxygen and BET have aired the shorts made by previous Scenario USA winners, Honl said. The winning movies are also shown at film festivals and high schools.

Mariella said she intends to continue writing plays. She’s also acting, most recently as an alternate in the school’s UIL production of “Sweeney Todd.”

Ryan Holeywell covers PSJA and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4446.