Mary Haug of SDSU has graciously accepted the position as the State Coordinator for the NCTE Promising Young Writers Program. She succeeds Ed Harvey of Sioux Falls College, and she will serve a three-year renewable term.
The Promising Young Writers Program is a program NCTE sponsors for eighth-graders. The program represents NCTE's commitment of effective writing, emphasizing the importance of writing skills among all students and recognizing the outstanding writing talents of some students. The program is managed by the State Coordinator to whom teachers submit their students' paper and application forms by January 15. The state coordinator has each student's papers (one best writing and one impromptu writing) evaluated by judges, compiles the judges' scores, and sends the results to NCTE by March 15 of the year. Results of the program go out to students, their teachers, principals, affiliates, chief state school officers, and the press by the end of the school year.
In making the appointment, SDCTE President Sue Morrell stated: "I am pleased that Professor Haug has so generously given of her time to coordinate this national-level contest. The Promising Young Writers Program is one way for both SDCTE and NCTE to reach into classrooms and involve teachers and students."
SDCTE thanks Ed Harvey for his efforts as the outgoing State Coordinator for the program.
For more information about how you can encourage your students to participate in this contest, contact Mary Haug at SDSU or obtain entry information directly from NCTE, 1111 W. Kenyon Road, Urbana, Illinois 61801-1096.