Governor LePage Congratulates Student Writers
Governor LePage Congratulates Student Writers
For Immediate Release: Thursday, June 09, 2011
Contact: Adrienne Bennett (207) 287-2531
Augusta, Maine – Governor Paul LePage proudly announced winners of the 2011 Governor’s Young Writer of the Year Awards this morning at the State House.
The “Young Writers of the Year Award” was created in 2004 and is sponsored by the Maine Community College System with support from U.S. Cellular. The award is intended to promote and encourage excellence in writing by Maine high school juniors. Each winner is designated a “Governor’s Young Writer of the Year” and receives a cash prize of $2,500.
This year’s contest yielded 205 entries from students enrolled in 66 different high schools. Entries were narrowed down through a series of reviews and 7 finalists were considered by a panel of judges: Poet Laureate Wesley McNair, Susan Kenney and Lewis Robinson.
The 2011 winners are:
- Charles Baker – Freeport High School
- Julia Maine – Greely High School
- Sarah Mulcahy – Greely High School
Governor LePage congratulated each student and expressed his enthusiasm about their work. “These students are shining examples of the future of our State. The work that you have shared with me and our entire State is inspiring. Congratulations to each of you and continue to share your creativity with the world because the talent you have is impressive,” the Governor said.
Governor LePage also noted that “Saturday Waitress” a poem written by Sarah Mulcahy of Greely High School brought back memories of his own. “It was so reminiscent of my childhood because when I was young I worked in a restaurant. I started dish washing, then I graduated dish washing to helping as a short order cook and finally I made it big time as a waiter,” Governor LePage laughed. “So her story really did bring me back in time.”
Joining the Governor, Maine Community College System President John Fitzsimmons praised the writers for this prestigious achievement. “You will forever be known as the Governor’s Young Writer of the year, a distinction that you should be very proud of.” said Fitzsimmons.
The winning submissions are attached. Photo: (from left to right) Charles Baker, Julia Maine, Gov. LePage & Sarah Mulcahy.
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