KBTC Public Television Announces Local Winners of PBS Kids Writers Contest

First Place Winners Advance to the National PBS KIDS Writers Contest         

TACOMA, Wash. – Today, KBTC Public Television announced the local winners of the 2014 PBS KIDS Writers Contest. The winners in grades K-3 will advance to the national level of the contest.

Winners

Kindergarten:  Rosie and the Cool Skateboard Adventures, by Alex Zulinke

1st Grade: Nutrition Jaguar, by Emily Anne Spector Van Zee

2nd Grade: Cheetah Journal, by Sarah Zulinke

3rd Grade: A Bad Day, by Caleb Hyun

“At KBTC we were truly inspired by the enthusiasm and talent that this year’s contest entries demonstrated,” said Edward J. Ulman, General Manager at KBTC. “Each year KBTC is a proud participant in PBS KIDS’ annual Writers Contest as it advances KBTC’s commitment to helping grow children’s literacy skills while encouraging expression and imagination. KBTC celebrates the talented children of our community and we wish the winners advancing to the national contest the best of luck.”

The annual PBS KIDS Writers Contest is a national initiative designed to promote the advancement of children’s literacy skills through hands-on, active learning. The contest encourages children in grades K-3 to celebrate creativity by submitting their own original stories and illustrations.

KBTC’s first place winners will advance to the national contest and a panel of some of America's foremost children's authors, illustrators and content experts will serve as honorary judges and rank the top 12 finalists.  National winners will be announced this summer and the winning stories will be featured on pbskids.org/writerscontest.

The national winners will receive prizes courtesy of national prizing sponsor, LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. Winners will receive a prize package that will include LeapFrog’s award-winning LeapReader Reading and Writing System. The contest is also made possible through national promotional support from Highlights for Children. The PBS KIDS Writers Contest is produced by PBS and based on the Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest, a concept developed by WNED-TV, Buffalo. 

To learn more about the contest, visit pbskids.org/writerscontest.

About PBS KIDS

PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, online, mobile and community-based programs. Kidscreen- and Webby-award winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including the PBS KIDS video player, now offering free streaming video accessible on computer- and mobile-device-based browsers. For more information on specific PBS KIDS content supporting literacy, science, math and more, visit pbs.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter and Facebook.

 

About LeapFrog

LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. is the leader in educational entertainment for children. For nearly 20 years, LeapFrog has created award-winning learning solutions that combine educational expertise, innovative technology and a child’s love for fun. With experiences that are personalized to each child’s level, LeapFrog helps children achieve their potential through LeapFrog’s proprietary learning tablets, learn to read and write systems, interactive learning toys and more, all designed or approved by LeapFrog’s full-time in-house team of learning experts. LeapFrog’s Learning Path, the ultimate guide for parents on early childhood, is designed specifically to help support and guide their child’s learning with personalized ideas and feedback, fun activities and expert advice. LeapFrog is based in Emeryville, California, and was founded in 1995 by a father who revolutionized technology-based learning solutions to help his child learn how to read. Learn more at www.leapfrog.com.

 

About Highlights for Children, Inc. (www.Highlights.com)

Devoted to “Fun with a Purpose,” family media brand Highlights for Children, Inc. has helped children become their best selves for generations. In addition to the flagship magazine, Highlights’ other offerings include a preschool magazine (High Five), an infant magazine (Hello), a children’s book company (Boyds Mills Press), puzzle book clubs and a variety of digital products.

 

About KBTC

As a PBS affiliate, KBTC is a service of Bates Technical College and serves more than 3 million viewers from Southwestern Washington to Southern British Columbia. Bates Technical College has owned and operated KBTC since 1992. In 1980, KBTC launched its satellite station KCKA in Centralia serving the Southern region of the state. KBTC was originally licensed in 1961 to Tacoma Public Schools, broadcasting under the call letters KTPS-TV. For more information, visit www.kbtc.org, or call 253.680.7700.

About Bates Technical College

Founded in 1940, Bates Technical College offers certificate and degree opportunities in 53 career education programs, and serves approximately 3,000 career training students and 10,000 more community members annually in extended learning, distance learning, high school, and other programs. For more information, go to www.bates.ctc.edu, or call 253.680.7000.