Kent County has become the home of scholastic literary titans with more finalists per capita in the 2013 Maryland Letters of Literature Competition than any county in the state. Kent contributed nine of the 101 finalists this year.
But it gets even better because first place finishes went to two students from Kent County Public Schools in two of the three categories – rising to the top through nearly 1,800 contestants in Maryland.
“[The contest] encourages young readers in grades 4 – 10 to respond to an author through a letter expressing how that author and book changed their worldview and themselves,” said Michelle Alexander, spokeswoman for MHC. She said Kent had a “remarkable showing this year.”
The Letters of Literature Competition is a national contest sponsored by the Library of Congress Center for The Book. The Maryland Center for The Book, is a program of the Maryland Humanities Council, which administers the state contest for the Library of Congress.
The national selection process is underway at the Library of Congress, where a panel of judges is determining the winner in each of the three categories to receive a $1,000 prize. The second place finishers in each category will receive $150. Winners will be announced sometime this month.
Jordan Rose, a sixth grader from Kent Middle School, won first place in the 4-6 grade category, writing to Ben Carson, the nation’s most acclaimed neurosurgeon and author of Gifted Hands.
Courtney Sipes, a Kent High School Sophomore won in the 9-10 grade category, writing Jay Asher, author of Thirteen Reasons Why.
Both of these talented young writers are among just 150, three from each state, who remain in the hunt for the national prize. They represent .003 percent of the 49,000 students who competed nationally this year.
Other State Finalists from Kent:
County Middle School (Level 2, Grades 4-6)
Jordan Hickman — Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games
Kent County High School (Level 3, Grades 9 and 10)
Seth Betley — John Green, Looking for Alaska
Colin Crowe — Ray Bradbury, The Veldt
Katie Falls — Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Morgan Hash — Mal Peet, Keeper
Ashton Mooday — Frank McCourt, Angela’s Ashes
Ian Mulligan — John Green, Looking for Alaska
Below are the two letters under consideration for the national prize.
Jordon Rose’s letter to Ben Carson:
Dear Ben Carson,
How did you get through it all? All of the name calling and all of the racial slurs you endured must have been crippling. I have no idea how you were able to overcome all of the adversities in your childhood, but you did. Children can be incredibly cruel. Adults can be very cruel too. I have endured name calling and slurs as well. Your book and life story have guided me to be able to overcome my own obstacles. I would like to say with all the gratitude in my heart, that Gifted Hands has helped me through all of the challenges that I have faced in the last three years.
To start with, my family and I were homeless for a while. We went to my grandmother’s house. Just about a month ago, she kicked us out, with only a few minutes notice. A church came to our rescue and sheltered us in a motel for a few days. They also helped us with food. My mom works for the local school system and knows a woman that works at the High School. She invited us to stay in her house with her mother and her until June. After that, she is actually going to let us rent another house that she has. Our family has been in multiple crises over the years. My sisters are too young to understand much, but I have seen these crises clearly and they have scared me. I read your book in 3rd grade, and it is a good thing that I did, because it showed me that even in huge crises, anything is possible. You overcame the racism and name calling to become the most famous neurosurgeon of all time.
Secondly, when I read your book, I saw that you were put down by so many people, including your own teacher! I was impacted by your story because much of the same has happened in my life. My mother and father have tried to keep things nice for us even though my father is out of work and my mother does not make enough to afford all the bills herself. My family and I have had to move from place to place on several occasions and though we do not have a lot of money, we are able to stick together and pull each other through it all. I have found that even though we are not rich in wealth, that we are rich in the love and support that we have in our family, much like your own. I have been called nasty names by people even my grandmother. She has called me the worst names imaginable; racial slurs that don’t even match me ethnically. She called me these names intending they cause me pain, and they did. Her words cut through me like a machete. After all, she is my grandmother. Isn’t she supposed to love me unconditionally? In school, I have been picked on because I am a student who does not follow the rest of the kids. Some of my classmates skip assignments, goof off in class and don’t always behave kindly to one another. I keep my focus on my goal: my education. I do this because I have to be true to myself and reach for my career goals, though it often causes me to be teased by my peers. Their teasing does not cut me as deeply as my grandmother’s barbs do. Instead their comments and slurs make me feel sorry for them. They just don’t “get it.” Education is priceless. It is not to be wasted. It is to be appreciated because it is an opportunity to learn, to develop, to mature. Through all of this, I have kept my grades up and last year finished my school year with the highest GPA in the school.
Additionally, I have wanted to be a doctor since I was 4 years old but in third grade, when I read your book, I knew then that I wanted to be a neurosurgeon, just like you. You are my star to follow. I learned from you that poor is not an adjective to denote that you can’t achieve or accomplish. Your mom was not wealthy, and because of that you tried to get scholarships for college. My mom and dad are not wealthy, and I know that in order for me to go to college that I am also going to have to get scholarships. Without even knowing me, you have encouraged me to apply for scholarships. I am currently attempting to win your scholarship. I want to pass your starlight on to others. I dream of being in a position one day to offer educational assistance to deserving students just as you do now.
Therefore, Mr. Carson, you are the person who has provided me the inspiration to overcome all obstacles and to be the best person that I can be. Thank you for publishing your story and inspiring me and other kids just like me. I will never forget what I have learned from your story. Thank you for sharing your story with all of us, and know that because of you, I have vowed that I will not let anything get in the way of my dream: the dream of becoming a neurosurgeon. Your star will shine on forever.
Sincerely, Jordan Rose , 6th grade , Kent County Middle School
Courtney Sipes’ Letter to Jay Asher:
Mr. Jay Asher,
When I was in seventh grade, my friend recommended a book to me. She recommended your novel, Thirteen Reasons Why. At the time, I had not the slightest idea that your book would apply to my life, and even to the friend that suggested I read it, just two short years later. Like Hannah Baker, my friend felt like she was alone, and I had no idea. No one had any idea, not even her own parents. I did not find out directly from her, but from a post by her in a group on Facebook that opened my eyes to exactly what was happening. When I read the book, I couldn’t have predicted what my eyes would see in that group two years later, or who was behind the camera.
Thirteen Reasons Why is probably my first ever encounter with the idea of suicide or self-harm. I had not inquired about what one turns to in time of self-doubt, depression, and loneliness. In some ways, I wish I never had. A year ago, a friend of mine created a public group of people who self harm and those who support them. He named this group The National Butterfly Project, and invited all to join. This group was aimed towards those who needed help from others who knew exactly what they were going through. The idea was to draw a butterfly wherever you cut yourself often, name it after a loved one, and keep it alive. To keep it alive, it had to fade on its own and you couldn’t cut it. People who did not cut could also draw a butterfly in support of someone that does. One day, I logged onto to my Facebook, entered the group, and saw a shocking photo. There was a butterfly, the symbol of the group, upon a skinny wrist, layered with scars, and cuts that followed. I was shocked at how many scars there were. I wanted to help this person, and I looked at the name that the post came from. A close friend of mine. This was her butterfly, her wrist, her scars, and her feelings. I cried. I had no idea she was unhappy at all, let alone upset enough to cause so much harm to such a beautiful girl. At first, I thought maybe I should confront her.
Talk to her about it, explain how bad it is, how much trouble she was getting herself into. Now, I have no idea why I thought like that. I searched the Internet for answers. What causes self-harm? What should I do if my friend harms herself? Is there anything I can do to help my friend? Well, one of my many searches turned up a familiar name. Thirteen Reasons Why showed up in my browser. I thought back a few years, to when my friend first recommended the book. I thought about how Hannah Baker had felt. Alone. I finally realized what I had to do. I set a goal for myself that I was going to be the best friend that I could be to this girl. I wouldn’t leave her a chance to feel alone. Invite her out more often; ask her how she is doing, if there is anything I can do to help her.
This is what I think Hannah Baker needed to save her life. A friend. A pair of ears. A kind heart. Someone. Anyone. Humans are meant to be social. Humans are meant to rely on each other. Those who have no one are not truly happy. I worry every day about how my friend is feeling. Nobody can ever tell when someone is at his or her breaking point. All a person can do is try to push that breaking point farther and farther until it depletes entirely. Because of Hannah Baker’s experience, I know now what my friend needs. I need to be the person Hannah did not have. I am that someone. The person who won’t leave. That one she can talk with. That one that keeps her steady. Because whatever happens, I WILL be the one who is there. I WILL be the person she turns to in time of need. I WILL be her rock. And I promise, Friend, you WILL NOT be alone.
Sincerely, Courtney Sipes , 10th grade , Kent County High School
Carla Massoni says
This is absolutely wonderful! I am so proud of our students. So proud of the energy and time they have devoted to this project, their communities, and their personal growth. WOW!!! Chestertown Spy – please take this story to the next level. Celebrate all the amazing things our young people are accomplishing.
Thank you to the parents, the teachers, the schools, the Maryland Humanities Council, the authors of books, and most of all – thank you to the young writers!!