40°
To the editor:
As co-chairs for the 2015 Young Writers’ Conference, we would like to extend our gratitude to everyone involved who assisted in making this year’s event such a success. On Saturday, March 21, we had just under 30 percent of the towns eligible third- to fifth-grade students participate in our annual Young Writers’ Conference. In total, 334 students enrolled, 19 presenters teaching 52 workshop sessions, and over 80 parent volunteers.
First of all to our steering committee for tireless efforts and dedication: Margaret Stamatis, Emily Mills, Robin Brown, Katherine Daigle, Christine LoGiudice, Meghan Carcich, Nicole Genna, Tiffany Lenz, Virginia Rios, Sue Jehl, Kari Lombardo, Angela Reiner, Rebecca Kaufman, and Danielle Edwardson. At East Ridge Middle School, we thank Cecilia Rosevalt, Michael Kilcran, Lauren Rushka and Martin Fiedler for the use of the facility and outstanding support and preparation.
At the School District level we thank Deb Low, the principals of all six elementary schools, and Anna O’Rourke, principal of St. Mary School, for their full support of this outstanding program. We also thank Kim Beck and Holly Levi for their assistance in creating a wonderful video. At the town level we thank First Selectman Rudy Marconi and Selectmen Peter Hill and Bob Snyder for their assistance in ensuring the roads and facility were clear of snow and ready for the parents to safely transport our children to the conference. We give thanks to Monica Brown of 109 Cheese Shop and all of the vendors of The Marketplace at Copps Hill, for their generous donations to the presenters’ gift baskets.
We thank Ellen Burns of Books on the Common for underwriting a portion of the gift certificates. We thank Chris Cuhsnick and the team at the UPS Store for meeting all of our printing needs. We give thanks to the 80+ parents who volunteered that day to help things run smoothly. We thank Cub Scouts Pack 26 Den 7 Webelos II for building our wood stands.
And last, and certainly not least, to the amazing and incredibly talented presenters who continue to give their time and talent and share their love of writing and to the 334 students who enthusiastically came to school on Saturday to develop their passion for creative writing! Keep on writing you're an inspiration to us all.
Maria Raduazzo and Tina Malhotra
Co-chairs of the 2015 Young Writers’ Conference Joint Council of PTAs
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