Wood Creek Students Get a Letter From the Governor

In November, seven students responded to a unique writing challenge issued by the school's Parent-Teacher Association (PTA): Send a letter to newly elected Gov. Rick Snyder.

On Tuesday, 9-year-olds Raykiese Puckett, Joshua Kazuo Poppink and Bridgette Ford, 8-year-olds Catherine Luty and Grady Walter and Seth Kruger, 6, were recognized for their participation at a special afternoon assembly in the school gym. They received journals and pens, as well as framed copy of a response letter sent by the governor.

Wood Creek PTA president Tammy Luty told students Snyder had contacted her with a message for them. "He said he wished the writing challenge would continue, and he also challenges Wood Creek students to participate in the next topic," she said.

Luty said that Snyder personalized his responses to the students. "Each letter was a little different," she said.

Grady said he wrote the governor because his grandmother lives in Ann Arbor, and he heard Snyder lives in Ann Arbor, too. Catherine said her mother really encouraged her to take on the challenge.

"I want to be a writer when I grow up," she said.

Student Cassandra Gursin also wrote a letter, but did not attend the assembly.

According to a flyer distributed last fall, the challenge was designed to encourage an interest in writing and in community involvement.

Correction: We corrected the spelling of Joshua Kazuo Poppink's name.