Meet the winners of the WQED Writers Contest

Each year, WQED reaches out to schools, libraries and families across Pennsylvania to encourage children to write about their goals and submit their original stories and illustrations. Local kids get the chance to express themselves creatively and perhaps even win the contest.

The annual Writers Contest program is a critical part of the mission of WQED’s Education Department, engaging kids in the creative work of writing and illustrating. Parents and teachers are included in the creative process, and grown-ups can discover helpful literacy information at the contest website.

How the Contest Works: 
Beginning January and continuing through March, kids in kindergarten through third grade in the tristate area and nationwide can submit their original stories with artwork to the WQED Writers Contest. WQED, along with a panel of judges comprised of local educators, librarians, local authors and community partners, select the winners. A celebration to announce the winners and award prizes is held in May each year, most recently on May 17 this year.

The authors of the winning stories also have the fun of recording their winning story (find them here). Prior to the awards ceremony the public is invited to vote for their favorite story from all 16 winners. The story with the most votes is awarded Readers’ Choice.

Over the past 16 years, WQED has received more than 15,000 story entries in this annual contest, and has provided teachers and librarians with resources to work with their students. Each educator who has a winner in the Writers Contest receives an “indoor recess kit” filled with literacy based games and activities.

“I love the Writers Contests, because the imagination of a child is limitless. The contest allows children to share their dreams, and gives them confidence to express their creativity “said Michelle Imler, manager of the Writers Contest.

Here are this year’s winners: 

Kindergarten:

first place: Laura Phillips from Pittsburgh, author of “Doggy Dreams”
second place: Olivia Haburjak from Pittsburgh, author of “Olivia the Cowgirl”
third place: Joy Nguyen from Pittsburgh, author of “I Love Work”
honorable mention: Journee Koenig of Pittsburgh, author of “The Best Mom”

1st Grade:

first place: Ameena Searight from Pittsburgh, author of “Ameena’s Silly Future”
second place: Hansheng Peng from Pittsburgh, author of “In My Future”
third place: Talon Boyer from Gibsonia, author of “My Future”
honorable mention: Zeke Powell from Grove City, author of “Soccer Skills in Space”

2nd Grade:

first place: Theresa Zigler from Pittsburgh, author of “The Case of the Missing Guitar”
second place: Deklyn Matteo from Pittsburgh, author of “Helping Animals”
third place: Nana Yun from Wexford, author of “What Will I Be When I Grow Up”
honorable mention: Alexa Jung from Wexford, author of “My Future”

3rd Grade:

first place: Jeremiah Wang from Jericho, NY, author of “Friendly Smiles, Happy Teeth”
second place: Arianna DiRenzo from Sewickley, author of “Teacher Magic”
third place: Emmalyn Powell from Grove City, author of “Working Under the Sea”
honorable mention: Arrin Poellnitz from Turtle Creek, author of “2nd Fastest Man Alive”

Readers Choice Award: Nana Yun, “What Will I Be When I Grow Up”