Winners from of the 11th Annual Georgia Reading Rainbow Young Writers & Illustrators Contest were recently honored for their storytelling skills at a special ceremony held at Georgia Public Broadcasting's studios in Atlanta.
Twelve of the over 850 Georgia students, ranging from kindergarten to third grade, who entered their original illustrated stories were recognized. The four first place entries will move on to the National 11th Annual Reading Rainbow Young Writers & Illustrators competition. The contest is designed to challenge students to use their creative abilities to write and illustrate their own storybooks.
Georgia Public Broadcasting coordinated the Georgia regional contest in partnership with Reading Rainbow, Barnes & Noble, Innotrac and Holiday Inn. First place winners received free accommodations at Holiday Inn SunSpree Resorts. All winners received a book and VHS set from Reading Rainbow and a gift cards from Barnes & Noble; $50 for first place; $20 for second place; $10 for third place.
Nearly 250 contest participants, family members and friends attended Georgia Public Broadcasting's ceremony honoring participants of the Georgia regional contest where winners read their stories and were presented with prizes. After the ceremony was complete, children and their families were treated to lunch and an afternoon of fun and educational activities that included a special visit from Clifford The Big Red Dog.
The complete list of contest winners and story titles are as follows:
First Place:
Kindergarten: Raven Rose Balakonis, Eastman, "A Big Mess"
First Grade: Savannah Hillman, Hephzibah, "Sarah's Rainbow"
Second Grade: Emma Button, Lilburn, "Get Ready to ...Rumble"
Third Grade: Alex Buter, Marietta, "Never Run Away From Your Babysitter"
Second Place:
Kindergarten: Erin Machado, Roswell, "The Fight Over the Red Rose"
First Grade: Moriah Gibson, Stone Mountain, "Emma Goes to the Moon"
Second Grade: Hanna Geil, Kennesaw, "The Magic Closet"
Third Grade: Carlisle Vidourek, Fayetteville, "Animal School"
Third Place:
Kindergarten: Ramya Srinivasan, Roswell, "Sharing"
First Grade: Claudia Gaither, Athens, "Snowshine, The Snowfriend"
Second Grade: Blake Manuel, Stone Mountain, "Slow Poke the Turtle
Third Grade: Sarah Dobson, Ballground, "The Little Penny"
