A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF CHICAGO DO THE WRITE THING

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the dedicated teachers, principals, parents and community leaders from Chicago who helped to make the 2009 Chicago Do the Write Thing Challenge a successful and outstanding event for our 7th and 8th grade participants...please look at the photos on this site under 'Award Ceremony Album' to see the proud faces of the students and their parents who participated in the Challenge.

Note to the Students who participated
in the 2009 Challenge.

YOU ROCK! It is because of you that I am entering into my second term as Chair of the Chicago DtWT Challenge with enthusiasm and encouragement. I owe this energy to you. I anticipated meeting exceptional individuals during my first term but I had no idea how exceptional you are... your essays are filled with hopes and constructive actions for stopping violence. Your essays were read by many community leaders and your messages are getting across to the people who can make a positive difference in our communities to stop violence.

Note to the Students who will participate
in the 2010 Challenge.

The DtWT team and I are looking forward to working with your teachers this year and our group of DtWT reviewers are anticipating the privilege of reading your essays. We hope we have an opportunity to personally meet 100 of you at the awards banquet in Chicago, sometime in early May 2010, when we will announce the boy and girl who will be the 2010 Chicago ambassadors at the National DtWT meetings in Washington, D.C. in July 2010.

Everything I experienced through DtWT was a new experience for me but yet somehow very familiar ... I remember as a young child how I relied on my parents for guidance and caring; then I entered school and I was introduced to a new type of teacher, other than my parents. I grew to respect and admire those teachers as well. And, all the while these new teachers were entering my life. I (just like you are now) was developing my values and by the time I was in 7th grade, I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted and what I didnt want in my life.

I knew that violence came in many forms and I knew I did not like it. It takes courage and energy to be good leaders and it's very difficult for one person to do it alone. So, I am inviting you to participate in this writing Challenge to stop violence. I know that together we can make a difference.

Good luck to all.
Robin Hulshizer, Chair
Chicago Do the Write Thing Challenge