Area Kids Read Winning Stories on WSIU Radio

Sponsored this year by Cedarhurst Center for the Arts in Mt. Vernon and My Favorite Toys at the University Mall in Carbondale, this fun annual writing contest encourages children in kindergarten through the third grade to improve their literacy skills by creating their own books. First place and honorable mention honorees were selected from among over 250 local entrants.

Local honorees were honored at a public awards ceremony at Cedarhurst on Saturday, April 24 where they received PBS KIDS Raising Readers bags stuffed with books and videos, as well as educational toys provided by My Favorite Toys. Their stories were on display in an exhibit at Cedarhurst's Beck Family Gallery through May 2.

Six of the eight honorees who earned first place and honorable mentions in this year's contest also recorded their stories in WSIU Radio's studios this summer. You can hear their stories on WSIU 91.9 FM, WUSI 90.3 FM, and WVSI 88.9 FM. See the schedule to the right. If you miss the broadcasts, you can listen to the stories below.

You can also read all of this year's winning stories in another public exhibit currently on display in the lobby in front of JC Penney at Carbondale's University Mall, courtesy of My Favorite Toys. The exhibit will continue through September 27. Stop by to enjoy the stories of our region's budding young authors!

Thank You to Our Judges!

WSIU would like to thank this year's judges for their time and participation: Irene Just of Herrin; Lane Hudgins of Murphysboro; Jean Pulliam of Makanda; Linda Davis and Pam Urban of DuQuoin; and Lisa Belville, Christine Gilbert, Joan Listen, Kim Mahoney, Linda Rohling, Edie Spees, and Kristy Strusz of Carbondale.

This year's local winners are:

Kindergarten:

First Grade:

Second Grade:

Third Grade: