Writers conference a success
By Donna Helble, Leslie Johns and Lee Loerch, Young Writers Committee

The Young Writers’ Conference, hosted by Hiawatha Valley Education District of Winona, was held May 8 and 9 on the Winona State University campus. We thank the 23 schools in the surrounding area of Minnesota and Wisconsin who supported this conference by sending about 975 students from grades 3 through 8.

As the students registered in Somsen Hall, they were entertained by the Winona Middle School Jazz Band,
followed by a brief introduction by each presenter. Then students proceeded to Minne Hall, where they had the opportunity to attend three sessions and interact with authors, poets, playwrights, storytellers, illustrators, journalists, songwriters, and visual and verbal radio and television communicators. Through these sessions, students discovered and explored their potential interests and talents in various writing and communication styles.

Presenters to thank: Al Batt; Charlene Baumbich; John Bernadot; Daniel Danielle; Phil Costigan; Emilio DeGrazia; Darrell Ehrlick; Ron Gamer; Dianne Gray; Warren Hanson; Gary Harbo; Mary McGrath; Gay Mortenson and students Misty Douglas, Jennifer Dezner, Chue Lor; Forrest Musselman; Maggie Modjeski; Scott Novotny (Bill Bauer and David Harris); Tom Overlie; Mary Jo Pauly; Rick Ponzio; Bruce Ramsdell; and Dean Young.

The following individuals and organizations offered generous support through their gifts, which are a big part in making this conference possible:

Cytec Engineered Materials, Elizabeth Callender King Foundation, Emilio DeGrazia, The Exchange Club of Winona, Farley & Sathers, Fastenal, Free Sprit Publishing, Griffith Management Corporation, Hiawatha Broadband Communications, Inc., HyVee, Robert Kierlin and Mary Burrichter, Kwik Trip Stores, Meadow Brook Press, Merchants Bank,

Lorrie Metz, Midtown foods, Minnesota Twins baseball club, Noah’s Ark, Pendleton’s, Rick Ponzio, Rotary Club of Winona, RTP Company, Scholastic, Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc., The Three Bears Lodge-Jellystone Park, Winona Area Public Schools Foundation, Winona Health Foundation, and Winona National Bank. Thank you!

Thank you to the following volunteers: Ione Loerch, Roger Metz, adult chaperones from each district, and the Winona Senior High School Honor Society students.

We look forward to continued support of this very worthwhile experience for our young people for 2009. Donations may be sent to: Hiawatha Valley Education District, Attention: Leslie Johns, 1410 Bundy Blvd., Winona, MN 55987.

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