From the desk of Mary Paynton Schaff

Clare Doran, a sixth grader at The Bush School in Seattle, is the Level 1 champion.  Samantha Smith, an eighth grader at Blue Heron Middle School in Port Townsend, is the Level 2 champion. Oliver Reed, a tenth grader at North Central High School in Spokane, is the Level 3 champion.  Read the winning letters here!

There were approximately 5,500 Washington students who entered the 2012 contest. There are 98 semifinalists who advanced to round 3 state judging. All state semi-finalists will receive an award certificate in the mail.   There will also be a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda in Olympia on May 11 at 11:00 in the morning during which the semi-finalists will be acknowledged for their achievement.

From the 98 Washington semi-finalists, the state judges selected the three aforementioned champions, three second place runners up, and ten honorable mentions.  The three champions’ letters have been sent to the Library of Congress for the national competition.  The results of the national judging will be released in early May.

Click here to learn more about the 2012 competition, judging, and to see a list of the participating schools.   Thank you to all the students, teachers, librarians, and families who participate in Washington’s Letters About Literature program.  Keep reading and writing!