Community Relations
For Immediate Release
October 4, 2011
Contact:
Cass Cannon
Community Relations Specialist
Charlottesville City Schools
434-245-2962
Cass Cannon@ccs.k12.va.us
Media Release
CHS Writers Honored in National Competition
Two Charlottesville High School students were recently presented with the National Council of Teachers of English Achievement Awards in Writing. Seniors Emily Hays and Jack LaViolette were among 520 students chosen nationally to receive this honor. The winners are said to be "among the best student writers in the country."
The recipients were chosen from over 1600 students nominated in their junior year by their English teachers. Only four schools in Virginia had both school nominees selected. Emily and Jack submitted an impromptu piece of writing, as well as a portfolio of prose and poetry. Each piece of writing was read and evaluated by two judges--one high school and one college English teacher. Winning students and their schools received certificates recognizing their accomplishments, and the names of the students and their schools are posted on the NCTE website. Students also received cards highlighting their achievements to include with their college applications.
The Achievement Awards in Writing program was established in 1957 to encourage high school students in their writing and to recognize publicly some of the best students writers in the nation.
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