Praise from all over

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The Young Writers Project has continuously generated strong, positive reaction from all those involved – students, teachers, parents and, of course, readers. We have received many stories about how this project – which engages students to write, provides feedback from YWP editors and college mentors and publishes their best work – has impacted kids’ lives:

• Many schools announce over the p.a. systems when someone is published; several schools have reported that classrooms have broken out in spontaneous applause when the announcement has been made.
• One middle school student, struggling with the death of her mother, wrote a short, poignant story that prompted an 83-year-old woman to write to her to tell the child that she, too, lost her mother at that age.
• One student posted a cynical, one line note on her blog and was greeted with sharp, but polite, rebukes; she relented, started writing and became one of the YWP’s more prolific writers. Her teacher wrote to YWP to say her student had been struggling and disengaged but suddenly sprang to life; when she went on the YWP Web site and saw what her student was writing, she suddenly understood.
• Many schools post students' published work in the halls.

  Those are just a few of the stories. Here is a small sampling of comments that have come to the YWP (and feel free to share your own below):

  From Students

  “The experience of having my story published and then presented on stage was incredible. It was really cool for me to hear someone reading a piece that I had wrote, hearing how they read it, how they interpreted my story. I am very excited that I was chosen and really look forward to doing more with my writing.” Abigail Senesac, high school student

  “[YWP] gives young writers a chance to have their written work taken seriously; it is a good teaching tool for teachers; the free feedback helps young writers to develop their skills; the possibility of being published motivates and encourages the writing spirit within; the prompts given are interesting and general enough to allow for a writer’s creativity and are not strict about what is acceptable” Anna Lacey, high school student

  “You feel really good about yourself, like ‘Oh wow, people really like my work!’ It’s really fun to see your name on something other than everyday schoolwork.” Sierra Cruikshank, high school student

  “It was a great feeling to know that my writing was actually being read and appreciated.” Arianna Rehak, middle school student

  “[YWP] is one of the only places in the paper that has a distinct young student voice. It helps students ‘get out there’ and get their voices heard.” Tim Carter, student judge

  Several anonymous comments:

  “I received feedback for one piece that I submitted and it was really neat because I was shown where I could have changed things around a little to make a stronger piece.”

  “It was awesome when people came up to me and said, ‘I read your story in the paper, I really liked it’.”

  “It was very exciting. It was the most excited I have ever been at 6:20 in the morning! I felt very proud that my work was selected.”

  Teachers

  "It was very motivating to my students to think they had a chance of getting published in the paper. It was great to see what other kids from the community were writing." Elise Foxall, middle school teacher

  “I've been meaning to tell you that (two students who were published) and I were invited to make a special presentation at the Cabot School Board meeting. The Board was interested in the students' experience of writing and being published for such a wide audience, and it was a brilliant opportunity for me to showcase their work. The fact that the student writers published were not just the 'usual suspects' -- the high-flying, honors-society, sports-playing kids -- was significant, too. The Board knows (one of the students) and his complicated family background and was stunned by the good writing he did.” Julia Hewitt, high school English teacher

  “Thanks so much for including our student photographers work in the YWP. I can't begin to tell you what a burst of energy it gives them to see their photos in the paper and all the positive feedback they get.” Wendy Fox, high school art teacher.

  “The Young Writers Project series is a valuable teaching tool that has been extremely helpful in motivating my students to write.” Alison Ruggles, instructor in program for troubled teens

  “What a difference the Young Writers’ series has made in our school! Every day I see students settle into reading the paper, and articles are passed around among students and faculty.” Bill Rich, teacher

  "[YWP] encouraged kids to recognize that they are better writers than they think, and they got the recognition from someone other than myself for this accomplishment" Paul Parsons, middle and high school English teacher

  Readers

  “Compelled - that fits the urgent feeling I have to respond each time I read the young writers' works. In each age group it is astounding to realize the depth of thought these school children possess and their amazing ability to transfer their thoughts into the written word.

  “In addition, it is uplifting to be made aware that many of our youth are pretty darned forward looking and intuitive, as opposed to the ones who skip school or manage to create upheaval in various ways.” Mary Sweeney, reader.

  “Anna was VERY excited about being published. They did a nice announcement over the P.A. system at school regarding her piece in the BFP! I have a CPA practice in S. Burlington and the phone has been off the hook with clients calling with compliments!” Linda Hausermann, mother of young writer.

  “After reading the Living Section of the Free Press this morning I simply had to write. What an absolutely marvelous concept. I was moved to tears by the eloquence and fresh perspective of the young writers. Please accept my deepest gratitude for offering such a magnificent forum to showcase their talents. Bravo! I will eagerly anticipate future Tuesdays and the opportunity to bathe in the light penned by these insightful authors.” Edward H. Ford, reader.

  "It amazes me that the works I read in the Valley News were written by such young people. They’re terrific, moving, funny, and often deep and profound. What a great experience and forum the YWP provides for talented young minds.
  Please keep up the good work." Don Gamache, Enfield, N.H.

  "I'm at that age where I've realized I've become my father as I whisper "darn kids" under my breath as I read the news about them car racing on the streets or as I barely escape the wrath of an errant skateboarder while walking down the street.

  "But then, something totally unexpected happens and just about rips the air from my lungs. Emma Redden, a sophomore from Leland and Gray High School, perhaps only 15 or 16 years of age, had crashed into my heart with a poem so simple and tender that it had me transfixed, perhaps forever. Her poem, which appeared in the Burlington Free Press on Sept. 27 ("Young Writers Project:Giving young writers and audience") featuring young writers, is worth mentioning. Thank you so much Emma for sharing this with all of us. Your future in writing appears to be shining intensely." Mike Dumas, St. Albans