Letters About Literature in Illinois is a statewide reflective writing competition sponsored by the Illinois Secretary of State and the Illinois Center for the Book. The program invites 4th–12th-grade students to read a book of their choice, reflect on it, and work with a teacher or librarian to write a personal letter to the author explaining how the book changed their views of the world or themselves.
Rock Island High School had five students participate in the contest, Layla Eygabroad, Nelie Ninahazwe, Aubry Berry, Sage Oviatt, and Brisa Perez.
Layla received a semi-finalist award for her letter to Rhiannon Navin about the book Only Child, and Nelie was given an honorable mention for her letter to James Patterson.
The students worked on their letters during RIHS Library Pride Times as well as on their own.
"I'm so proud of all of them. Their letters were heartfelt and powerful, " said Mary Mendelin, the high school's Library Media Specialist.