STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
Newly Found Confidence
" I am very honored to have my poetry published. I thank you for not only publishing my work, but also giving me the chance to win a Top Ten award. I am extremely flattered. Now, because of this newly found confidence and pride I will continue to write all the poetry that pops into my head! Thank you. "
---- Kate Cavanagh - StudentAmazing Opportunity for Beginning Writers
" Thank you for the incredible honor and opportunity of being published in A Celebration of Indiana's Young Poets. I confess, I was not expecting my entry 'Ground Fruit' to win any honors or mention. I was very surprised and excited to receive your letter. Your contest is an amazing opportunity for beginning writers like myself. Thank you for this great honor. "
---- Erin Smoker - StudentSomebody Likes It, Somebody Likes Me!
" I wish to thank you for acknowledging my poetry and, in a round about way, believing in me. Even if I do not receive any further reward for my poem, just knowing that someone liked the way I write enough to publish it gives me some greatly needed self-esteem. As you can see by my poem, I am not exactly the most confident person. To be honest with you, I don't really like this poem that much in comparison to the rest of my personal collection. This poem I had written during a bout of depression, unaware of your contest. My English teacher from my freshman year has become a close mentor to me. I let her read the poem and she brought up the idea of entering it. I debated the matter for a few days, saying to myself over and over, 'What's the point? It won't get anywhere.' But, Mrs. Stewart is one person I know who truly has faith in me and I know would never set me up for failure. So, on that whim and at the last minute, I sent it in. When I received your letter stating that you wished to publish my poem, I screamed out of pure joy. I thought, 'Somebody likes it, somebody likes me!' Again, I thank you from the depths of my soul just for noticing me; no one ever has. "
---- Megan Rene Kelly - StudentA Budding Author Gets a Start
" I want to thank-you for that letter you sent me. I was stunned that my poem did all that! I came home from school and got the mail. I was surprised to get anything. (I hardly ever get any mail.) I opened it and all I could say was oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! I called my mom at work. I was huffing and puffing and she couldn't understand me! When I finally told her she was just as surprised as I was! So as I go on and on writing all this the main thing is that I'm really happy and I want to Thank You! I wish that when I grow up I get to write millions of scary, funny, fiction, action, non-fiction and children's books. So thanks again! "
---- Kelsey Burns - StudentInspiring People with Hidden Talents
" I just wanted to say thank you for the opportunity and thank you for inspiring so many people who hide their writing talents. After they saw the letter you sent me they got inspired and started writing. Thank you so much! I mean that from the bottom of my heart and soul "
---- Lisa Huang - StudentI Feel Blessed
" I am so honored about my poem being not only recognized, but actually published! The feeling is incredible!!! I just wanted to write this thank you note, because I really am touched. No, I feel blessed. I write a lot of poetry. All day long, usually, because, well because I just love it. But never in a million years did I EVER think something like this could happen to me. You guys can give final prizes to more deserving poets. Being published and recognized is much more of an honor to me than a cash prize. Money is a frivolous thing. Bearing heart and soul is not. So again, I can't thank you enough. Truly. "
---- Gabriella Levin - StudentBest Way to Express Myself
" First of all I would like to say thanks to the almighty God for everything he has done, and also thank you and your staff very much for allowing me to be a part of you all. I've had many surprises in the past, but I must say that this was the most surprising. I thank you all for giving me the hope and courage to continue writing, because it's one of the best ways I've learned to express myself. "
---- Faustina J. Keta - StudentExpression Through Poetry
" I would like to thank you for the inspiring letter you sent me on my selection to be published in your book. To most people I would probably say "You don't know how much it means to me," but you probably do. Thank you so much for the opportunities you give to teenagers to feel good about themselves by expressing themselves through poetry! "
---- Nathan Stanford - StudentGoing Out to the Whole World
" I am so glad I won the Young Poets contest. It's an honor in my family. It's also a big responsibility to have my poem being published in a book. I feel like an author. And I'm also proud of myself, because it's going out to the whole world. I would also like to thank my teacher for pushing me to do better and try harder. My mom said that she was so proud of me she almost fainted. It was like she told the whole world. So just remember, it's a pleasure to be a winner. "
---- Kaylena Gonzalez - StudentShoot for the Stars
" I recently received your letter of acknowledgement for my essay to be a top 10 winner! I was speechless with thrill and ecstasy tingling all of my body because I couldn't believe that this was actually true! Thank you so much! You have given me more hope and encouragement to continue enhancing my writing skills. I definitely will continue this program, too! At such an early age and admitted for publication is a pride the richest girl will envy, I'm sure! You are such a wonderful event that appeared in my life. I feel a new sense of ambition in me and I'll always shoot for the best! I still can't believe this is trueâ¦it's just like a sweet dream below a passive, serene night sky sprinkled with delightful stars, winking at me to never give up and shoot for the stars! Thank you again! "
---- Hurman Vongsachez - Student
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