Dear Principals, Teachers, and all other Magnificent Supporters of our Young People,

We would be honored to have your students participate in the twentieth annual Celebration of Youth essay contest. All children in grades 4 through 9 who attend a DC public school are eligible. Finalists have come consistently from schools all across the city.

To encourage the participation of students, sometimes a principal will appoint a reading coach, counselor, or particular teacher within the school to coordinate this contest. Teachers might make the contest a writing assignment, or brainstorm with interested students, encouraging them to explore the theme in a personal, meaningful way. Identifying personal examples can be helpful to the student=s success in the contest. Our main hope is that teachers, principals, coaches, and counselors will encourage eligible students to participate in this contest..

The theme, the list of contest guidelines, our phone number, and other information are given on the page that says Contest Announcement. Check the web sites listed above if you want more copies of the announcement, or, if you or your students have questions, call us. We welcome the opportunity to encourage you in whatever way we can. We want to do our best to ensure that every eligible student who wants to enter has the necessary support. The contest due date is April 18, 2009. For the first time this year, students may submit their essays by email. Hand delivery and regular mail are still options.

Ten winners, five from grades 4-6 and five from grades 7-9 will be chosen. Twenty-six students will be declared honorable mentions. These students will be honored in downtown Washington in May. At this celebration the ten winners will read their prize winning essays. To receive their prize, winners and honorable mentions are expected to attend the acknowledgment ceremony. Parents, teachers, friends, principals, classmates, and the media are invited to honor and to witness the students and their achievements. A reception follows.

We are proud that over the years a majority of the eligible schools have participated, and that students from all sections of the city have won. While good writing skills help significantly, many criteria are taken into consideration. Students who never thought they could write, much less win a contest, have won. The winners might have shown more depth, self reflection, compelling emotion, thoughtfulness, authenticity, or greater humor than the majority of entries. This is an essay contest that need not be restricted to English classes. Many teachers, including those of art, science, music, and math, have encouraged students to enter. Of course, students can enter independently. Each year, a few students discover the contest and enter on their own.

We want to give some TIPS so you may better support your students. Please follow the contest guidelines carefully. Essays which do not address the theme will automatically be disqualified. Additional essay disqualifiers include: essays being too short, too long, too messy, and submitted too late. Essays in grades 7 to 9 MUST be typed. Occasionally, students have entered more than one essay. Though that is certainly ambitious, one entry per student is the rule. The winning essays usually have specific details from the student's own life, and the student has an honest and heartfelt way of writing about the topic. If you have entered your students in the past and they have not won, please do not give up. Different themes speak to different children. Some children don't do well one year and go on to win in the next. Every year brings fresh opportunity and a new round of unique essays.

The students bring healing and understanding between people, cultures, and generations by sharing their ideas and feelings. Listening to our youth enhances their self respect and increases our awareness. People everywhere can learn much from the heartfelt expression of our city's children. Their thoughtful, creative expressions are invaluable.

Volunteers and judges contribute their time and talents to support the children. Past judges have included Phyllis Armstrong, Maureen Bunyon, Stacy Cohen, Nadine Cohodas, Phil Dixon, Doreen Gentzler, Barbara Graham, Susan Kidd, Colbert King, Mara Liasson, Judlyn Lily, Patrick McGrath, Derrick McGinty, Renee Nash, Kojo Nnamdi, Maureen Orth, Andrea Roane, Susan Roberts, Nina Totenberg, Jim Vance, Jack White, and Juan Williams. Community leaders, politicians, sport teams, and special figures around the world have praised the childrens' efforts. There is support for DCPS children and for this contest.

Receiving entries from your students for the Celebration of Youth essay contest would be an honor. We would be delighted to hear from you. In the meanwhile, we wish you and the students much success, peace, and well being. For the challenging and necessary work you do every day, we thank you and we salute you. You are invaluable.

With respect, admiration, thankfulness, and anticipation,

Dorothea and Jim Brady, Rebecca Carroll, and Donna Philpitt, and our intern Molly Sloss.

P.S. Teachers, if you submit your essays in person or by regular mail, please give us your email address. Communication by email when we announce the winners will be expedited. Thank you for your assistance.