Evergreen Park Teen Wins Letters About Literature Contest For First Time In Marist History

CHICAGO – A Marist High School sophomore has been named a Level III winner of the 2025 Letters About Literature Contest. Brooklyn Reyna became the first student in Marist history to win the coveted award.

The Evergreen Park teen’s entry rose to the top of the statewide competition, where students write letters to their favorite author. Her entry rose to the top of 503 entries in her grade level (Level III – Grades 9–12). Of those entries, only 286 were selected as Honorable Mentions, 44 as finalists, and one winning letter was chosen — Reyna’s.

The Letters About Literature contest invites students in grades 4–12 to write a personal letter to the author of a book that has made a meaningful impact on their lives. Students may enter the contest individually or through schools, libraries, and youth organizations. Brooklyn’s winning letter was one of several submitted in December by her English teacher.

Winners in each of the contest’s three grade-level divisions receive a $200 cash prize and a plaque from the Illinois Secretary of State. Their teachers receive a certificate and a $100 prize for the school’s library. An awards ceremony will take place in Springfield in early May, where Brooklyn and the other two statewide winners will be invited to read their letters aloud.

Many other Marist students who also entered the contest are expected to receive recognition in the coming weeks as either Honorable Mentions or Finalists.