WINNERS OF 2015 NHPTV-PBS KIDS WRITERS CONTEST ANNOUNCED

(DURHAM, April 30, 2015) — Escaping from school, a trip to Ethiopia, and battle for dominance between a pencil and an eraser were among the subjects of winning stories in the New Hampshire Public Television–PBS KIDS WRITERS CONTEST. Over 400 creative entries were received from children in K – 3rd grade, and 80 stories were selected for first place, second place, third place and honorable mention recognition. The NHPTV-PBS KIDS WRITERS CONTEST encourages children in K – 3rd grade to explore the power of creativity by writing and illustrating their own stories. It promotes reading skills through hands-on, active learning. This is the 21st year NHPTV has hosted a writing and illustrating contest for children, and more than 11,000 children have participated over the years. The first-, second-, and third-place winners will be recognized at an awards ceremony June 13th at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, with NH author and storyteller Rebecca Rule as the guest speaker. The first place winners also will advance to the national PBS contest. “New Hampshire Public Television is a proud participant in the PBS KIDS annual Writers Contest because it underscores our commitment to the success of our children,” said NHPTV President and CEO Peter Frid. “The process of creative writing has been proven to not only support the building of key academic skills but to help improve a child’s self confidence, creativity and imagination. NHPTV celebrates all of the talented children who entered this year’s contest at NHPTV.”The NHPTV-PBS KIDS WRITERS CONTEST is part of NHPTV's commitment to promoting a love of reading, writing, and creative expression in children. The contest aligns with New Hampshire state writing and reading standards, and is made possible with support from Heinemann and Lincoln Financial. Eight previous NHPTV contest winners have been recognized by the national PBS contest. THE COMPLETE LIST OF THE 2015 CONTEST WINNERS IS BELOW. The winning stories were chosen by a panel of judges including local educators and librarians. Winning stories are posted at nhptv.org/kidswrite. FIRST PLACEKindergarten - What If My Best Friend Was a Dog? by Mackenzie S.of Saco, MEFirst Grade - The Planet Police by Mia L. of Hampton, NH Second Grade - My Guatemala by Eva F. of Atkinson, NH and Hampstead AcademyThird Grade - Escape From School by Sebastian S. of Saco, ME SECOND PLACE Kindergarten -Piggy and Pubm by Hannah L. of Wolfeboro, NHFirst Grade -The True Story of Meta in Ethiopia by Meta D. of Manchester, NHSecond Grade - Rachel and the Trash Can by Anuhya C. of Hollis, NHThird Grade -These Are a Few of My Favorite Things! by Aarika R. of Nashua, NHTHIRD PLACEKindergarten - About the Tooth Fairy by Nicholas D. of Hampton, NHFirst Grade - My Trip to Space by Kaiden Marie R. of Concord, NHSecond Grade - Hannah Returns Home by Rakshitha G. of Windham, NHThird Grade - Who is More Powerful: A Pencil or an Eraser? by Om S. of Natick, MAHonorable Mention - KindergartenThe Hungry Alligator by Jonathan R. of Berlin, MATwo Furry Friends by Annika G. of Nashua, NHBird and Turtle's Big Race by Elly G. of Peterborough, NH and Peterborough Elementary SchoolMe and Owen by Vinny C. of Peterborough, NH and Peterborough Elementary SchoolMermaids and Fairies by Bridget H. of Peterborough, NH and Peterborough Elementary SchoolRainbow Flowers by Lily M. of Peterborough, NH and Peterborough Elementary SchoolBob Cat Bob Cat by Kenna S. of Peterborough, NH and Peterborough Elementary SchoolThe Great Peregrine and Raccoon Race by Harlan B. of Peterborough, NH and Peterborough Elementary SchoolEthan the Pimpled Chimp by Gavin L. of Bennington, NHA Boy who had a Cavity by Ayanna V. of Concord, NHSuperhero Dustin by Dustin H. of Winchendon, MAPrincess Bella by Iliana L. of Newington, NH and Newington Public SchoolHow the Dinosaurs Died by Maxwell G. of Newington, NH and Newington Public SchoolPrincess Emily by Carmen P. of Newington, NH and Newington Public School Honorable Mention - First GradeThe Cat and the Dog by Charbel S. of Salem, NH and St. Joseph Regional Catholic School My Dad by Myles W. of Warren, NH and Warren Village School Ooblerm from X-Ranium by Malcolm C. of Melvin Village, NH Where Are You Beanie Boo by Kyle S. of Auburn, NH The Crazy Day at the Aquarium by Miles P. of Newington, NH and Newington Public School The Birthday Present by Shaelyn S. of Newton, MA The Witch's Spookiest Halloween Night by Kara T. of Tewksbury, MA My Lovely Family by Sahishnu S. of Nashua, NH Going to the Beach by Matthew M. of Salem, NH and St. Joseph Regional Catholic School The Sneaky Pig by Laura B. of Salem, NH and St. Joseph Regional Catholic School I Went Outside by Abigail C. of Fremont, NH Seed to Stomach by Heidi K. of Laconia, NH Super Hero Piggy by Annie D. of Portland , ME The Power Within by Amelia H. of Milford, NH The Skateboarder by Sam H. of Exeter, NH and Main Street School The Monster Under My Bed by Parker R. of Exeter, NH and Main Street School Goldy's Birthday Party by Rebekah W. of Grantham, NH and Grantham Village SchoolHonorable Mention - Second GradeLove Makes a Tree Grow by Meghan K. of Windham, NHEevon the Kind and Helpful by Alex B. of Amherst, NHThe Best Days Ever in Robo Land by Aundrea I. of Portsmouth, NH and New Franklin Elementary School Python and the Mystery of the Bright Light by Paul S. of Windham, NH and Hampstead Academy The Adventure of Lizzy and Grace by Sarah H. of Stratham, NHAdventurous Tails by Elsa G. of Manchester, NHPresident Lindsay by Eva L. of Marshfield, MAHave an Open Mind by Saanvi A. of Nashua, NHMisty's Boycott by Natalie W. of Lebanon, NHSomething to Do by Jolene R. of Campton, NH and Campton Elementary School The Cheetah's Lucky Day by Elise C. of Portsmouth, NH and New Franklin Elementary School Birds by Hannah G. of Portsmouth, NH and New Franklin Elementary School My Dog by Miles H. of Tilton , NH and Inter-Lakes Elementary School The Dirty Pillow by Molly B. of Meredith, NH and Inter-Lakes Elementary School The Mess by Charvi A. of Hudson, NHThe Hot Desert Adventure by Colin L. of Barrington, NH and Barrington Elementary School Camping Disaster by Hannah K. of Barrington, NH and Barrington Elementary SchoolHonorable Mention - Third GradeThe Three Little Squirrels and the Big Bad Mysterious Animal by Sophia C. of Manchester, NH Pinkie by Kirthivarsha S. of Nashua, NH A Dragon's Hope by Ella B. of Amherst, NH It All Came Tumbling Down by Rose M. of Groveland, MA Candy Land : The Attack on C and y Corner Village by Katie D. of Amherst, NH Living in Ethiopia by Stephen D. of Manchester, NH Penguins in Hawaii by Lea D. of Portland, ME Monster Sales by Ananya B. of Longmeadow, MA Chris and the Incredible Time Machine by Akshay M. of Manchester, NH A Tale of Friendship by Kiera D. of Merrimack, NH and Infant Jesus School Thirteen Uses for a Guinea Pig by Marlise H. of Durham, NH The Oragami Purple Panda and its Friend the Green Paper Crane by Jane C. of Hanover, NH Into My Woods by Joshua K. of Auburn, NH and Auburn Village School Peanut Butter vs. Jelly by Jesse S. of Auburn, NH and Auburn Village School USS Enterprise CV-6 by Logan M. of Auburn, NH and Auburn Village School Mr. Brown and the Time Problem by Dane P. of Franconia, NH My Best Fruppy by Paige S. of Auburn, NH and Auburn Village School Queen Rock by Ava B. of Salem, NH The Magic Secret by Hiral P. of Keene, NH and Symonds Elementary Goofy Zeb by Benjamin R. of Berlin, MAThe contest is 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.

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