Seniors are recognized by Connecticut Student Writers for work

Lizzy Burke
Opinions Editor

Recently, seniors Alex Rose, Caroline Muller, Ross Hurlock and Leah Clark were recognized by Connecticut Student Writers, a magazine established in 1987 by the Connecticut Writers Project to honor excellence in writing by students. The magazine is published annually by the University of Connecticut, featuring work from students in Connecticut in grades K-12.

The magazine published a poem from Alex and a fiction piece from Caroline. The Honorable Mention awards were also given to Ross and Leah for their fiction pieces.

Creative Writing teacher Hannah Magnan encourages her students to submit their work to the publication each year. However, this year was the highest participation. “My students chose their best piece from the Creative Writing course to submit,” she said. “Not everyone submits, but this year we sent in around 30 pieces.”

Caroline recognized the value in Ms. Magnan’s encouragement. “As much as I would like to say that I was motivated to submit on my own, it was a requirement for my Creative Writing course,” she said, “But I’m glad I did.”

The publication has 8 opportunities for recognition of creative pieces for 12th graders, with 2 pieces being published and 2 Honorable Mentions for the two categories of Fiction and Poetry. Out of the 8 spots for seniors in high school, New Canaan students claimed 50%, out of a pool of over 1,000 submissions from high schools across the state.

Ms. Magnan believes that the possibility of being selected alone isn’t the only thing students can take away from the experience. “The CT Student Writers Magazine is a great opportunity for students to see their work in print,” Ms. Magnan said. “Opportunities for student publication are important, not only because they motivate students to revise and produce their best work, but also because they get students excitedto take risks and share their work with a larger audience.”

In addition, students see the positive benefits of submitting their work to the publication, as well. “It feels very goodto work so hard on something and be recognized,” Alex said. “I edited it countless times, and receiving this award reaffirms that I should continue writing.”

If you would like to see the video of Alex Rose reading her poem, Song For a Stranger, which also won Best Poem at this year’s Poetry Fest, click here.