Regional Finals Being Held in Annual Connecticut Young Writers Competition

YOUNG WRITERS TRUST WEBSITE

Prose & Poetry Champions Selected
From Record- Setting Number of Entries


N E W S R E L E A S E
TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2010

Champions in CT's Eight Counties to be Named
at Central, Eastern, Southern & Western Events

Judges will select 16 students during the next week -- a prose and poetry winner from each of Connecticut's eight counties -- to compete in the statewide finals of the 2010 Connecticut Young Writers Competition, for students ages 13-18. The county champions are to be selected from more than a dozen county finalists in each category in each county, at events being held across the Connecticut State University System beginning Wednesday and continuing next week.

A record number of Connecticut students have submitted entries in the 13th year of the annual contest which highlights works of poetry and prose submitted by teenagers from throughout the state. There were 795 entries received, an increase of 36 percent from a year ago, and surpassing the previous record of 647 in 2000. The contest is a project of the Connecticut State University System (CSUS) and the Connecticut Young Writers Trust.

The regional ceremonies will be held:

* Wednesday, April 21, at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, for Hartford and Tolland counties;

* Monday, April 26, at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, for Middlesex and New Haven counties;

* Tuesday, April 27, at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, for Fairfield and Litchfield counties; and

* Wednesday, April 28, at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, for New London and Windham counties.

"The talent and creativity of a new generation of Connecticut writers is clearly evident, and we look forward to recognizing their excellent prose and poetry," said David G. Carter, Chancellor of the Connecticut State University System. "This initiative is another example of the many ways in which CSUS is a catalyst for Connecticut, engaging our young people in academic pursuits that encourage their dedication and inspire all of us."

The county champions will be vying for selection as the statewide champion in prose or poetry, to be awarded at an annual ceremony to be held on Thursday, June 3, 2010 at the Hartford Club in Hartford. The statewide winners qualify to have their writings published in Connecticut Review, the literary journal of the Connecticut State University System.

For more information, visit www.ct.edu/ctyoungwriters
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Andy Thibault, Connecticut Young Writers Trust, tntcomm82@cs.com, 860-690-0211
Terri Raimondi, CSUS Public Relations, raimondit@ct.edu, 860-493-0040
------------------------------------------

NOTE TO SPONSORS
TY 4 KEEPING THIS PROGRAM ALIVE
FOLLOWING THE DEATH
OF OUR FOUNDING / PRIMARY SPONSOR LAST FALL

-- 2010 PROGRAM SPONSORSHIPS R AVAIL AS FOLLOWS:

* biz card in program, $250

* county champion sponsor, $500

* state champion sponsor, $1,000

all donations greatly appreciated and publicly acknowledged

--------------plz send checks 2

CT YOUNG WRITERS TRUST
231 Beach St.
Litchfield, CT 06759

thank you thank you thank you



-- Andy Thibault, Connecticut Young Writers Trust,
tntcomm82@cs.com
860-690-0211

Young Writers 13th Year Judging Under Way; Year 14 Uncertain

YOUNG WRITERS TRUST WEBSITE

twitter@cooljustice