FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Secondary students "Get Published!"
21 September 2005, Belleville, Ontario—The art of writing will have a renewed focus for many secondary students as they prepare to "Get Published!". An innovative partnership between the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board and Essence Publishing provides English students with the opportunity to contribute to an anthology of student writing.

The Teen Lit Press program encourages writing among secondary students. Secondary schools have been provided with posters inviting students in all grades to "Get Published!" This real-life publishing opportunity will have students on official editing teams, as well as in the marketing aspects of the completed book. The anthology will be published in May, 2006, and will be available across the region.

The project has been a dream of Rikki-Anne McNaught, Manager of Essence Publishing, for the past four years. McNaught is a passionate believer in unleashing the creative spirit of youth.

"It's just fantastic to be realizing my dream!” remarks McNaught, adding, "Poetry, short stories, screen plays and graphics will all be part of this anthology created by students."

Shelley MacKenzie-Coates, Curriculum Coordinator for the Board echoes McNaught's sentiments.

"This is a wonderful project for students," remarks MacKenzie-Coates. "Students convey so much about themselves through their writing, and this real-life publishing opportunity provides an excellent vehicle for students to share their work with a wider audience."

A book launch will take place in the spring.

Essence Publishing is a division of Essence Communications Group.

The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board has 54 schools serving 18,400 students, employing 1,070 teachers and 705 support staff. The Board covers a wide geographical area of 7,221 square kilometres bordered by Maynooth to the north, Deseronto to the east, Prince Edward County to the south, and Quinte West to the west.

For information, contact:
• Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, (613) 966-1170, or 1 800 267-4350, ext. 2354