Letters about Literature Honorees
A record 35 students are recognized for their letters to authors.
Annually, the Library of Congress and individual states’ Centers for the Book hold a nationwide writing contest known as “Letters about Literature.” Open to students in the 4th through 10th grades, this competition challenges students to select a particular work of literature that is particularly meaningful to them and compose a letter to the author explaining the work’s significance in their lives. In writing these letters, students must go beyond enjoyment or appreciation for a piece of writing and learn to articulate their emotional or intellectual connection with that particular text.
Student letters compete on a state level; winners go on to national competition.
NCS had 24 Lower School students selected as state finalists in Level I this year. They include:
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Student letters compete on a state level; winners go on to national competition.
There are three competition levels: Level I for students in grades 4-6; Level II for grades 7-8; and Level III, grades 9-10. This year, 35 NCS students are winners and/or finalists in their age levels for the District of Columbia.
NCS had 24 Lower School students selected as state finalists in Level I this year. They include:
Sophie Andersen ‘21, Sarah Asher ‘21, Louisa Bayburtian ‘20, Mary Rose Bell ‘20, Emilia Boggs ‘20, Ainsley Booth ‘21, Allison Boyle ‘21, Caroline Connolly ‘21, Bilena Dabalen ‘21, Zandi Eberstadt ‘20, Jada Fife ‘20, Isabel Hohenlohe ‘20, Schuyler Holleman ‘20, Aanya Hudda ‘21, Emma Kapani ‘20, Emily Kim ’20, Madeleine Lee ‘21, Olivia Lee ‘20, Lily Moore ‘21, Katherine M. Robinson ‘21, Bridgett Scott ‘20, Pippa Self ‘20, Claudia Smith ’20, and Eliza Winsor 21.
In Level II (grades 7 and 8), Ashleigh Lackey ‘19 and Dorothy Shapiro ’19 were both winners and Clara Bartram ‘18 was awarded an honorable mention. Level II finalists included: Esther Ericksson-von Allmen ’19, Katie Klinger ’19, Montana Lee ’19, Nina Miller ’19, Nadya Osman ’19, Eva Phelps ’18, and Juliette Van Vleck ’19.
For the second year in a row, Diana Hla ’16 won first place in Level III (grades 9 and 10).
A recognition ceremony for all the DC finalists and winners was held on Saturday, April 26, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. Ashleigh, Dorothy, and Diana read their letters aloud. All the finalists & winners received certificates and other prizes. Head Librarian Kathleen Craver, Lower School Director Rebecca Jones, and Lower School Librarian Katherine Menz attended along with the proud parents of the honorees. Congratulations to all!
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Most of the Lower School Letters about Literature honorees with LS Librarian Katherine Menz (Click to enlarge photo.)
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Many (but not all) of the Middle School honorees.
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