More than 69,000 young readers from across the country participated in this year's Letters About Literature writing contest, a reading promotion program of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, presented in partnership with Target and sponsored in South Carolina by the State Library's Center for the Book. In South Carolina, a total of 1,074 students participated in the Letters About Literature program.
Sydney Hodgin, a student at West-Oak Middle School in Westminster, SC was the 1st place State Winner in the Level 1 (grades 4-6) category. Her letter went on to national level judging and she has received a Letters About Literature National Honor award. Sydney wrote to John Howard Griffin, author of Black Like Me. Sydney is one of four National Honors recipients who get to designate a library to receive a $1,000 Target grant. Sydney said," I decided to give the money to my school because teachers there are helping me become an outstanding student and citizen." She will also receive a $50 Target Gift Card. Sydney is the daughter of Derek and Jane Hodgin in Westminster.
Sydney will be recognized along with 8 other South Carolina Letters About Literature Award Winners at an award ceremony held Friday May 7, 2010, at 11:00 am in room 309 of the State Library's administrative building located at 1430 Senate Street in Columbia. For more information about the Letters About Literature program, visit www.lettersaboutliterature.org.
