Andre Wilson, J’Siris Jones, and Bodi Paulson-Sutton, students in kindergarten, first and second grades at Bright Water Elementary in North Minneapolis, were recognized by the Minnesota Reading Association (MRA) for their contributions to the Writers are Readers Young Authors Celebration contest. The students were recognized on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, in a school assembly. Wilson, Jones and Paulson-Sutton will also be recognized on March 19 at the MRA's Celebrate Literacy Reception for their creative writing pieces.A total of 18 Bright Water students entered the contest. September Luitjens, Montessori Learning Specialist, led the effort to encourage student participation in the contest. “Expressing ourselves is a way that we make connections to the community around us. The littlest ones do this through storytelling and as the skill develops a child finds themselves composing in many other forms. At Bright Water Montessori we encourage writing as this creative engine is what is used to fuel the love of reading other people’s work.”
According to the MRA website, the purpose of the contest is to provide students “the opportunity to showcase their creativity and enthusiasm for writing to entertain or inform other readers.” The contest was open to all students in Minnesota.
Bright Water Elementary is a charter school in its second year of operations. It adheres strictly to the Montessori model of education. In addition to academic skills, students in a classic Montessori classroom also learn to act cooperatively, be self-directed, and to manage their time. The school currently serves 62 students in kindergarten through grade 3. It will add a grade each year through sixth grade.
The following children were also recognized for their creative thoughts and writing that were submitted to Writers are Readers, a Young Author's Celebration through the Minnesota Reading Association: Diana Rojas, Samara Valme-Jones, Tylia Brooks, D'Viaughn Smith, Kamia Wilson, Jonah Briel, Eleanor Whittey, Jonah McDonald, Val Coppo, Jackson Malone, Ava Briel, Genevieve Parker, Elliot Scheller, Sophia Stout, Heaven Lee Henderson.
