Education Minister announces library contest winners

Education Minister Gerry Reid took the opportunity today to congratulate the winners of the Library Week Limerick Contest, sponsored by the Newfoundland and Labrador Library Association.

"The theme for this year�s Library Week was Books and Bergs and students were asked to compose an original limerick connecting icebergs and books," said Minister Reid. "I had the pleasure of attending a read-in at the library when the winning poets were chosen and I was delighted by the high calibre of poetry submitted. Students displayed creativity, ingenuity and an obvious love of words."

The overall winner was Kaitlin Young, a Grade 5 student at St. Michael�s School in Stephenville Crossing. The contest was open to students from K-12 and there were four winners also announced in each division. The winner from K-3 was Katelyn Budgell, a Grade 1 student from Pasadena Elementary, Pasadena; Melissa Critch, a Grade 6 student from Hillside Elementary in La Scie was the 4-6 winner; Raya Parsons from St. Anne�s Academy in Dunville was the 7-9 winner; and the winner for Grades 10-12 was Ashley Jerrett, a Grade10 student from Smallwood Academy, Gambo. All winners received a library week T-shirt and an iceberg poster. The overall winner also received a personal flotation device, compliments of the Canadian Coast Guard.

"I was pleased to learn that the library association received almost 1,000 entries," added Minister Reid. "It is clear our students enjoy a literary challenge. I offer sincere congratulations to each of the winners and a special thanks to all the students and teachers throughout the province who made this year�s Library Week contest a great success."

Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Communications, (709) 729-0048, (709) 727-3438

2003 05 14                                      10:10 a.m.