In response to post by Hartford Courant columnist Kevin Rennie at Daily Ructions blog:

STATEMENT FROM BOARD
OF THE CONNECTICUT YOUNG WRITERS TRUST

The Connecticut Young Writers Trust firmly stands by Chairman Ravi Shankar as he pays his debt to society for personal mistakes wholly unrelated to his educational mission.

We are indebted to Ravi for his tireless efforts in running our organization. As chair of our board he has devoted extraordinary time and energy to the cause of furthering literary arts among young people in Connecticut. Visiting schools to conduct poetry workshops; spearheading fundraising; coordinating with teachers, principals and superintendents; bringing in professional writers to speak and teach; managing our annual awards ceremony: this work --- which long predates Ravi's legal troubles -- bespeaks his strong commitment to public service and the good of his community.

We at CT Young Writers Trust are proud to have a professor of Ravi's talent, heart and dedication as our leader. We are eager to enjoy our 17th annual celebration on June 8 with Ravi at the helm.

Rand Cooper, Vice Chairman, CT Young Writers Trust 860-232-4279 cooper13@earthlink.net

Andy Thibault, Chairman Emeritus 860-690-0211 tntcomm82@cs.com

http://www.ctyoungwriterstrust.org/

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Editor's note: This statement was submitted to Mr. Rennie late this morning [May 14]. It seems to be setting some kind of record awaiting moderation at Rennie's Daily Ructions blog.

-- 2010 STATE PROSE CHAMPION EMMA LOWENBERG WITH FRANZ DOUSKEY, LOUISE FEROE, RAVI SHANKAR AND RAND COOPER AT MARK TWAIN HOUSE
- Chion Wolf photo

Preview of June 8, 2014 celebration