Lisa Fredrickson
2007 CAL Scholarship Winner 

The 2007 winner of CAL's scholarship that supports students interested in writing, Lisa Fredrickson, 32, began her college career 10 years after graduating from high school. She graduated from Metropolitan State College of Denver May 13 with a major in a social work and is working to becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She begins graduate school at Colorado State University in Fort Collins May 23.

 "Why I Write"

 "Writing is therapeutic, so I write as a form of therapy and I encourage others to do the same. As a current Medical Social Work Intern at a local hospice, I explain to my patients that writing is a wonderful way to express themselves. Writing is a way for them to deal with their current emotions and also a way to leave their legacy behind after their deaths. I encourage my patients to keep journals as a beneficial way to deal with all of the mixed emotions that terminal illnesses and impending deaths can create.  I also encourage my patients to explore creative writing and to write about their lives so their families will have a wonderful gift to remember them by.  I not only encourage my patients to write - I take my own advice and use writing as a way to deal with my own emotions. I have found creative writing to be a great way to deal with all of the emotions that I hold deep down inside.  Writing is a great way for me to express my hopes and dreams, as well as, my fears and sorrow." - Lisa Fredrickson

 Scholarship Application

Beginning in 2002-2003, the Colorado Authors' League, the state's premier organization of professional independent writers, began offering a $1,000 scholarship to an aspiring Colorado writer.

The Colorado Authors' League created the annual scholarship as part of its commitment to encourage and support Colorado writers.

The Colorado Authors' League Scholarship is open to applicants who:

• are legal residents of the state of Colorado and must be enrolled in an accredited Colorado school
• are officially enrolled full time (at least 12 hours) at an accredited private or public college, university, community college, junior college or vocational school
• have successfully completed at least 12 hours of undergraduate study
• have a minimum GPA of 2.5 or better
• demonstrate financial need.

In addition, applicants must write an essay of up to 1,000 words on the topic "Why I Write." Essays will be judged for excellence of writing, creativity, and grammar.

Applications must be postmarked by April 1. Winners will be notified by May 1.

Incorporated on January 14,1932, to foster the art and craft of authorship, the Colorado Authors' League (CAL) is the state's premier organization of professional independent writers united to further members' success. It is one of the oldest such organizations in the western United States. Today, CAL includes more than 200 specialists, whose work embraces every branch of fiction and non-fiction.