CELEBRATION OF YOUNG WRITERS

GRADES K-12

Each year ASAP! invites young writers grades K-12 to submit writing for its annual Celebration of Young Writers and to participate in this inspiring literary project. Students will be given a chance to share their work and be published on the ASAP! website. A panel of judges will select exceptional pieces through a blind process where all names and schools are removed.

*Photo by Brigid Pierce from Pilobolus

ASAP! ANNOUNCES THE TOP 32 YOUNG WRITERS FOR 2020

The annual Celebration of Young Writers was inspired by ASAP!’s passion to encourage children’s creativity and imagination in the literary arts. For its 15th annual Celebration of Young Writers, ASAP! invited students to submit poetry and prose. Over 150 submissions from 55 schools and home-schooled students throughout Connecticut were received. We are thankful to all the participating schools for encouraging their students to share their love of writing.

ASAP! announces the top thirty-two 2020 Celebration of Young Writers selections from each grade level:

Elementary School – Analisa Albaridi of Mill Hill Elementary School in Fairfield, Nhyira Anderson of Children’s Community School in Waterbury, Sophia Anderson of Washington Primary School, Washington Depot, Summer Copen of Washington Montessori School in New Preston, Annabel DiCostanzo of Mitchell Elementary School in Woodbury, Zoe Ericson of Washington Montessori School in New Preston, Emily Halliwell of Rotella Interdistrict Magnet School in Waterbury, Hayden Hughes Homeschooled in Newtown, Violet Hughes Homeschooled in Newtown, Faith Theisen of Washington Montessori School in New Preston, Zoë Woodhall of Washington Montessori School in New Preston.

Middle School – Malin Adams of Litchfield Middle School in Litchfield, Avery Foss of Litchfield Middle School in Litchfield, Maeve Hickey of Litchfield Intermediate School in Litchfield, Carolyn Huegi of Education Without Walls in New Milford, Morgen Kleppin of Schaghticoke Middle School in New Milford, Mary Cate Neary of Litchfield Middle School in Litchfield, Sophia Pang of Litchfield Middle School in Litchfield, Sophie Perkel of Litchfield Middle School in Litchfield, Sam Quigley of Litchfield Middle School in Litchfield, Noah Sedlak of Litchfield Middle School in Litchfield.

High School – Evan Briatico of Wamogo Regional High School in Litchfield, Teigan DaCunha of Chase Collegiate School in Waterbury, Laura Gutaman of Bethel High School in Bethel, Katherine Jimenez of Derby High School in Derby, Wyatt King of Shepaug Valley High School in Washington, Dylan Miller of The Gilbert School in Winsted, Linda Petersen of Genesis Program in Wilton, Joyce Tao of Cheshire Academy in Cheshire, Sarah Walsh of Nonnewaug High School in Woodbury, Sompour Wolfe Homeschooled in New Milford, Lauren Young of Trinity Catholic High School in Stamford.

In place of ASAP!’s typically live and in-person Celebration of Young Writers, we are presenting a pre-recorded event featuring the top 12 young writers of 2020. This event will be presented by our guest host, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes, and released in August.

All top 32 writing submissions will be published on our website following the Celebration of Young Writers event in August.

ASAP! thanks all the young writers that participated in the 2020 Celebration of Young Writers and encourages everyone to keep on writing.