Students to present work in Celebration of Young Writers

Twelve students have been selected to be featured at the 12th annual Celebration of Young Writers, which will be held on Saturday, June 3 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at The Gunnery, 22 Kirby Rd. This year ASAP!® received over 400 submissions from over 55 schools across the state. Ranging in ages from 7-17, each will read their very own piece in front of the more than 400 guests.

The selected young writers are: Illianna Martinez of Pearson School in Winsted, Sara El Moustakim of Bethel Middle School of Bethel, Dean Saccardi of Housatonic Valley High School in Canaan, Xavier Williams of Children’s Community School in Waterbury, Carter Orr of Litchfield Middle School in Litchfield, Ciara Lynch of Schaghticoke in New Milford, Maya Woodhall, Charlotte Blair, and Nico Sorce of Washington Montessori School in New Preston, Reese Evans of Washington Primary School in Washington, and Elaina Stumpf and Sophia Granata of Shepaug Valley School in Washington.

The Celebration of Young Writers was established with the help of Ellen and Frank McCourt, Ann and Denis Leary and Susanna Salk. The event began as a way to encourage children to share their love of writing.

The event will be hosted by actor Michael Lombardi who first gained widespread attention for his series regular role as a rookie firefighter in the critically acclaimed hit television show Rescue Me on the FX network.

This year, ASAP! will honor Jill Lloyd. Jill served on the ASAP! board for nearly 10 years and as president of the board for seven, leading strategic planning, finance, budgeting, and major donor develop efforts.

The Celebration of Young Writers is a major fundraiser for ASAP!. The evening begins with a cocktail reception and benefit auction. Auction items include tickets for new Broadway hit, Hello Dolly, American Ballet Theatre tickets for Whipped Cream, a beach cruiser bicycle, matching adult/child scooters, and so much more.

Ellen McCourt will present the 7th annual Frank McCourt Prize for Excellence in Teaching to this year’s recipient, Kim Harrell from King Philip Middle School in West Hartford.

The Celebration of Young Writers is open to the public. Tickets are available at www.asapct.org or by calling 860-868-0740.

The Celebration of Young Writers is sponsored in part by Linda Allard, Pamela and Scott Bowman, Elizabeth and Jay Chandler, Tal Fagin and Robert Copen, CT Community Foundation, Michele Jackson and Wayne DeVeydt, Eagle Electric, Evercore Wealth Management, Farmers Insurance, Sande Breakstone and Ron Garfunkel, Carole Gibney, Joanna and Joe Gitterman, Susan and Murray Haber, Shauna Holiman and Robert Hackney, Judy Jackson and Bruce Haims, Anita and Thomas Hargrove, Stephanie and Tim Ingrassia , Susan and Larry Kessler, Nicole Tongue and Allen Kovac, Janet and Mel Lewinter, Jill Faherty Lloyd and Michael Lloyd , Paula and Eric Madoff, Marandola Fuel Service, National Iron Bank, Rebecca and Jim Neary, Rob Parker and Peter Rogness, Sara and Robert Savage, Abigail Pogrebin and David Shapiro, Margaret Ferguson and Dan Sherr , Marlene and Chris Smith, Union Savings Bank, Valley Spirit and Kate and Tony Vengrove.