SLST – East will once again partner with its local PBS station, WSKG, to present the PBS Kids Writers Contest to students in kindergarten through third grade and the WSKG Youth Writers Contest to students in fourth through sixth grades. The contest is designed to promote the advancement of children’s reading skills through hands-on, active learning and it encourages children to celebrate the power of creating stories and illustrations by submitting their own original pieces. Since PBS has withdrawn support from the contest this year, we are grateful that WSKG and other local sponsors have generously extended the powerful tradition and annual success of the national Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest. SLST – East has been honored to serve as a co-sponsor for more than 15 years. Members have been thrilled to judge the hundreds of entries and to officiate at the awards ceremony.

SLST - East once again sponsored the WSKG Youth Writers Contests, but this year that support was more crucial than ever. Formerly known as the PBS Kids Writers Contest, the competition is designed to promote the advancement of children’s reading skills through hands-on, active learning and it encourages children to celebrate the power of creating stories and illustrations by submitting their own original pieces. However, PBS has withdrawn support for the program and the local station did not have the resources or staff to run it alone. With the help of SLST - East members who stepped up to collect, collate, and judge the entries, as well as financial support for the ceremony at which members Lonna Pierce and Mary Ann Karre awarded prizes to the winners, WSKG was able to continue this valuable program. WSKG and families of the winners thanked members Lonna and Mary Ann, as well as Alicia Sherman, Sandy Stiles, Sara-Jo Sites, and Sarah Reid for their participation as judges.