Several hundred parents, grandparent, students, educators and family friends recently gathered on the Minnesota State Capitol steps to honor outstanding student writers from grades K-12. More than 1,100 essays were submitted, and approximately 35 essays were selected for honors in the 5th annual Minnesota Charter School Writing Contest. Senator Sandy Pappas, Representative Carlos Mariani and Alice Seagren, Minnesota Commissioner praised the students for their fine work and encouraged the young people to challenge themselves. Kao Kalia Yang, recent winner of two statewide Minnesota Writing Awards, spoke with the students and their guests about the value of writing. Several TV stations, a radio station and the Star Tribune carried stories about the grand prize winner of the contest (please see links below). The contest was co-sponsored by TCF Foundation, which provided cash awards to the winning students, Charter School Partners, and the Center for School Change. As in previous years, the winners came to the State Capitol steps during National Charter Public School week.

To read more about the 2009 essay contest, please click on this link: www.centerforschoolchange.org/essays-from-mn-charter-school-students/2009-charter-public-schools-essay-contest.html

 Guest speaker: Kao Kalia Yang, author of The Latehomecomer