Reading, MA — The PorchFest Committee and Reading Rotary Club are thrilled to sponsor a student writing contest to commemorate the upcoming 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Any student (entering kindergarten through 12th grade in the fall of 2021) from Reading or who is attending a school in Reading is invited to submit an essay or poem for consideration.
The theme for this writing contest is “Light in the Darkness.” All writing will be judged independently by an illustrious panel of readers. Essays and poems will be judged blind – names, schools, and any identifying information will be removed before judges see the entries. The judges will not know who wrote what.
We are happy to announce the following judges:
- Ginny Blodgett, local writer
- Michael Bonsey, Reading Rotary
- Mark Dockser, Reading Select Board
- Amanda Foulds, PorchFest Committee
- Nina Pennacchio, Library Board of Trustees
- Dr. Thomas Milaschewski, Superintendent Reading Public Schools
- Liz Whitelam, Owner Whitelam Books
- Tom Wise, Reading School Committee
The judging panel will choose one elementary winner (grades K – 5), one middle school winner (grades 6 – 8), and one high school winner (grades 9 -12). The three winners will each win $100, generously furnished by the Reading Rotary. Their names will be published on the Fall Street Faire website and in local press and social media. The three winners will read their winning entries at a public event on Reading Common on September 11 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Contest rules and details at fallstreetfaire.com
Only one entry per student please.
Email writing submissions and any questions to: memorialwritingcontest@gmail.com.
SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE BY AUGUST 1.
