May 7, 2007
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS , OH – Three Monticello Middle School 6th grade students were recognized from among 1,300 Ohio participants at the annual Letters About Literature Awards ceremony on April 28 at the Cleveland Public Library. Earlier this school year, students wrote letters to an author who has greatly impacted their way of thinking.

Students Mary O'Keefe and Lindsey Harvey wrote to author Mildred D. Taylor regarding the impact the novel Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry had on their lives. Student Dymond Lockhart wrote about Holes to author Louis Sachar.

Mary O'Keefe won first place in the Ohio Level I (grades 4-6) Competition and will move on to the national competition with her letter. Lindsey Harvey and Dymond Lockhart were runners-up. In addition to receiving prizes, the students attended a special book signing to hear Ohio-born author Shelley Pearsall speak about writing as a profession.

“Our District continues to focus on literacy and instill a love for reading in our students,” Monticello Principal Renee Cavor said. “I am proud that these students were able to make a connection with authors that inspired them, along with getting recognized for their well-crafted letters.”