October 16, 2009

Dear Connecticut Teacher, Guidance Counselor or Administrator:
The Connecticut State University System (CSUS) is pleased to present the Connecticut Young Writers awards competition for students ages 13 to 18. This program is now in its13th year, and we invite you to encourage your students to participate.

During this academic year, two young writers from each of Connecticut's eight counties will win substantial cash awards for either their prose or poetry. Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, and Western Connecticut State University in Danbury will be receiving the initial entries from your students and hosting county award ceremonies in April 2010.

From this select group of county winners, a distinguished panel of judges will select the best two works in Connecticut. The top poet and writer will be announced at a special reception and awards ceremony later in the spring, and will have an opportunity for their work to be published in Connecticut Review, the literary publication of the Connecticut State University System.

We hope you will help identify students who are dedicated to their writing and encourage them to submit their work. Entries must be nominated by a teacher in a public or private school, and must be postmarked on or before February 1, 2010. Please provide students with a copy of the enclosed double-sided entry form. Additional copies are available at www.ct.edu/ctyoungwriters. In addition, you may share this information with your colleagues, and suggest that it be published in school newspapers or other appropriate publications. Links may also be included on school websites.

Should you have any questions, you may contact Andy Thibault of the Connecticut Young Writers Trust at 860.690.0211 or tntcomm82@cs.com. Your assistance and interest is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
David G. Carter, Sr.
Chancellor
Connecticut State University System
Enclosures

The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on students’ performance on AP Exams.

At Litchfield High School four students qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. These students from the graduating class of 2009 are Michal Dichter, Graham Meharg, Emily Scirica and Hillary Wiles-Lafayette.

One student, Kathleen McKenna, qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.

Eight students qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP Exams with grades of 3 or higher. The AP Scholars are Claire Aziz, Helen Aziz, Carter Brown, Hilary Carlson, Rachel Clarkin-Breslin, Samuel Fowler, Maria Magaldi and Liza Noone.

Of this year’s award recipients at Litchfield High School one was a junior: Carter Brown. This student has at least one more year in which to complete college-level work and possibly earn a higher-level AP Scholar Award.

Through 37 different college-level courses and exams, AP provides motivated and academically prepared students with the opportunity to earn college credit or advanced placement and stand out in the college admissions process. Each exam is developed by a committee of college and university faculty and AP teachers, ensuring that our exams are aligned with the same high standards expected by college faculty at some of the nation’s leading liberal arts and research institutions. AP is accepted by more than 3,600 colleges and universities worldwide for college credit, advanced placement, or both on the basis of successful AP Exam grades. This includes more than 90 percent of four-year institutions in the United States. Research consistently shows that AP students who score a 3 or higher on AP Exams (based on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest) typically experience greater academic success in college and higher graduation rates than students who do not participate in AP.

The College Board is a not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the association is composed of more than 5,400 schools, colleges, universities, and other educational organizations. Each year, the College Board serves seven million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,500 colleges through major programs and services in college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning. Among its best-known programs are the SAT®, the PSAT/NMSQT®, and the Advanced Placement Program® (AP®). The College Board is committed to the principles of excellence and equity, and that commitment is embodied in all of its programs, services, activities, and concerns.

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