Wednesday July 09 2008

WSIU TV Channels 8 & 16 is pleased to bring you results of the Ninth Annual Young Writers and Illustrators Contest, a nationwide competition encouraging children to write and illustrate their own stories. The contest is open to children in kindergarten through third grade.

Here are our station's winning entries:    (Click on picture to enlarge!)

Kindergarten

		1st Place Story Title Bradley Cools and the Boa Constrictor Author: Bradley C, age 6, Sandborn, Indiana
		Honorable Mention Story Title The Easter Bunny Trying To Find His Egg Author: Brianna W, age 5, Beckemeyer, Illinois School based entry from Elementary School District #12, Pat Riegel, Teacher

First Grade

		1st Place Story Title My Litool Sitr (My Little Sister) Author: Rylee Shaye G, age 6, West Frankfort, Illinois School based entry from Jefferson Elementary School in Johnston City, Lori Haake, Teacher
		Honorable Mention Story Title Patches and The Bully Author: Rachel M, age 6, Centralia, Illinois

Second Grade

		1st Place Story Title Yada Yack Author: Ashley H, age 7, West Frankfort, Illinois
		Honorable Mention Story Title Cats Galore Author: Elizabeth T, age 8, Smithton, Illinois School based entry from St. John The Baptist Catholic School, Smithton, Mary Jo Ganey, Teacher

Third Grade

		1st Place Story Title Cortni and the Magical Golf Cart Author: Cortni H, age 8, Cobden, Illinois School based entry from Jonesboro Community Consolidated School District #43, JoAn Dallas, Teacher
		Honorable Mention Story Title The Bird of Fire Author: Nevin H, age 8, Mt. Vernon, Illinois School based entry from St. Mary School, Mt. Vernon, Helen Young, Teacher

We'd like to thank this year's judges:

Kindergarten
Joy Sherry, former kindergarten teacher and early childhood expert, Carbondale

First Grade
Delores Albritton, Attucks Community Service Board, Carbondale
Christina Burris, Project CHILD, Mt. Vernon

Second Grade
Irene Just, Herrin City Library, Herrin
Bill Gilmore, retired former director, Southern Illinois Radio Information Service, Mulkeytown

Third Grade
Tammy Renee Harris, Crusade Enterprises, Flora
Betty Frailey, WSIU Friends Board, Benton
Pat Benton, Zimmer Radio Group, Carterville

Every child who entered the contest is recognized for their participation with a Certificate of Achievement signed by Reading Rainbow host and actor LeVar Burton!

Local winners receive videos and books. First place stories are forwarded to the national contest where they will compete for computers, DVD's, books and many other great prizes.