OECTA's 2013 Young Authors Recognize Excellence in Student Writing

TORONTO, June 14, 2013 /CNW/ - Fifty-two students across Ontario, from junior Kindergarten through Grade 12, have won creative writing awards from the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association (OECTA) in categories ranging from poems and short stories, to plays and non-fiction in both French and English.  A commemorative book of the winning entries, and the list of the 2013 winners of Young Authors/Prix jeunes écrivains are online at www.oecta.on.ca

"It is intriguing to see into the minds of young writers," says Kevin O'Dwyer, OECTA president. "In this year's Young Authors program, topics ranged from fantasy and science fiction, to how the Internet affects their lives. It was also great to see students enjoying the creative process of incorporating comedy in their work."

Students as young as five years old are experimenting with writing styles, such as poetry and prose. Older students tackle writing about their emotions, both positive and negative, especially when the topic is about their relationships with their parents and peers. Other students tackle mental health issues. The protagonist in a story by one Grade 10 writer shared her feelings of isolation caused by a condition called synesthesia, where a person mixes up their senses.

Encouraged by their success in the Young Authors program in previous years, this year saw entries by several students who continued to improve their creative writing skills.

OECTA has sponsored the Young Authors Awards as an effective literacy program in Catholic schools since 1985. Winners are selected from hundreds of entries from across the province. For every student who makes it to the provincial level of competition, there are thousands more across the province who participate in, and benefit from, the program locally.

Following the preliminary judging done by teachers at the local level, 21 teachers from different OECTA units served on a provincial selection committee to choose the provincial winners.

Copies of the commemorative book are presented to the young authors, and distributed to their schools, directors of education, school board trustee associations, and main branches of public libraries in the province. The Young Authors Awards publication is also shared with Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne; Liz Sandals, the Minister of Education, and MPPs.

OECTA represents the 45,000 professional women and men who teach all grades in publicly funded English Catholic schools in Ontario.

SOURCE: Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association

Michelle Despault, Director of Communications
416-925-2493 ext 509, [email protected]