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Tag: Letters About Literature

Letter-writing champs share their inspiration

Letter-writing champs share their inspiration

From left: State Librarian Rand Simmons, Alison Amirault, Emily Cordero and Secretary Wyman. Amirault and Cordero are two of the state champs in this year’s Letters About Literature contest. Authors’ ability to inspire and connect with young readers was never more evident than during a ceremony at the Capitol honoring top contestants in this year’s Letters About Literature contest. Sponsored by the Washington State Library and the Library of Congress, the competition encourages students to write letters to their favorite…

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Showing the power of books to think, inspire

Showing the power of books to think, inspire

From left: State Librarian Rand Simmons, first lady Trudi Inslee, Level 2 champion Owen Bernstein, Level 1 champion Peter Baumer, Level 3 champion Cindy Kuang and Secretary Wyman.  One focused on the challenges of living on a farm in the past, including the lack of computers and other electronics. Another dealt with summoning the courage to take a stand for what is right, even when it’s unpopular with others. The third compared a brother’s accident with that of a character…

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How books inspired letter-writing state champions

How books inspired letter-writing state champions

2013 Letters About Literature state champions (from left): Cora Tessaro, Jordyn Tonkinson and Julia Batson. Inspiration can come from anywhere. This year’s Letters About Literature state champions were inspired by books about eating healthy food, being yourself and standing up for what you believe in, and challenging yourself and trying new things, even when afraid. The annual literary competition, sponsored by the Washington State Library and the Library of Congress, encourages students to write a letter to the author (living…

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Contest winners show the power of books

Contest winners show the power of books

From left: Samantha Smith, Oliver Reed and Clare Doran. If you ever wonder if books can influence and inspire students, look no further than the winning letters submitted by the three new state champions in the annual Letters About Literature contest. The annual contest, co-sponsored by the Washington State Library, encourages students to write letters to their favorite authors, living or dead. The new Washington champions were honored are: • Level 1 (grades 4-6):  Clare Doran, a sixth grader at…

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WSL Updates for April 5, 2012

WSL Updates for April 5, 2012

Volume 12: April 5, Year for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) WSL RELEASES LSTA 5-YEAR EVALUATION 2) DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR LIBRARY COUNCIL VACANCIES 3) RESOURCE SHARING GRANT CYCLE NOW OPEN 4) YOUTH SERVICES & OUTREACH POSITION AVAILABLE 5) LETTERS ABOUT LITERATURE CHAMPIONS ANNOUNCED 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK ————————————————————————————————————— 1) WSL RELEASES LSTA 5-YEAR EVALUATION As required by law, the Washington State LSTA Five-Year Evaluation Report was submitted to the Institute of Museum and Library Services…

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Washington’s 2012 Letters About Literature Champions Announced!

Washington’s 2012 Letters About Literature Champions Announced!

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…

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WSL Updates for September 16, 2010

WSL Updates for September 16, 2010

Volume 6, September 16, 2010 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) LETTERS ABOUT LITERATURE 2010/2011 2) RENEW WASHINGTON PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS ARE ONLINE 3) TAKE THE EARLY LEARNING SURVEY 4) INFOPEOPLE OFFERS MINI-COURSES 5) FUNDS FOR SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAMS IN WASHINGTON STATE 6) ENVIRONMENTAL AND MEDIA PROGRAMS SUPPORTED 7) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

Honoring letter-writing champions

Honoring letter-writing champions

What do Little House on the Prairie, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and The Elegant Universe have in common? They are the books chosen by the three Washington students honored in Olympia as the state champions in the national Letters About Literature contest. Reagan Nelson (middle) of Spokane, Stephen Hitchcock (right) of Woodinville and Tyler Christensen (left) of Snoqualmie were honored in Secretary of State Sam Reed’s office by Reed, State Librarian Jan Walsh and Guy Lamolinara of the…

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Winners honored for contest blending reading & writing

Winners honored for contest blending reading & writing

During this time of year, the Legislative Building normally is filled with lawmakers, legislative staffers, lobbyists, tourists and school groups. But this afternoon, about 250 people gathered in the building’s Rotunda for a ceremony honoring a group of Washington students who placed high in a contest combining reading and writing. About 50 students, plus their families, were on hand for the 2008-09 Letters About Literature awards ceremony. Secretary of State Sam Reed and State Librarian Jan Walsh were on hand…

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