WTCI-PBS has announced the judges for its annual PBS Kids Go! Writers Contest. Designed to promote the advancement of children’s literacy skills through hands-on, active learning, the contest encourages children in grades kindergarten through third to celebrate creativity by submitting their own original stories and illustrations.
The contest is made possible in part by local financial support from Blood Assurance, Coca-Cola, Comcast, GPS, Hamico, Lawson Electric, Liberty Mutual, McCallie, McKay’s Used Books and CD’s, Power Solutions, Promise Pediatrics, Silverdale Baptist Academy and St. Nicholas School.
“WTCI-PBS is committed to providing fun opportunities for Tennessee Valley area kids to express their creativity,” said Debbie Thompson, director of Education and Community Engagement. “The PBS Kids Go! Writers Contest helps Tennessee Valley children build valuable literacy skills for success in school and life.”
Local judges include; Alei Burns, Mary Edwards, Michelle Hecker Davis, Lee Hope, Stewart Payne, Celeste Williams, Chinyere Ubamadu and Shula Yelliott.
Children in the Tennessee Valley and North Georgia can submit their entries to the PBS Kids Go! Writers Contest until March 31. WTCI-PBS will select local winners and award prizes including PBS KIDS gift baskets and WTCI Kids Club Memberships in the spring of 2013.
National winners receive prizes, including tablets, e-readers and MP3 players. Highlights for Children has joined the contest as a new promotional partner and all participants will have the option to receive a print or digital version of Highlights magazine. Local winner, Hannah Grace Hammontree won the national prize in 2012 for the kindergarten category.
To enter the contest and for more information on entry rules and contest resources visit
http://www.wtcitv.org/news/pbs-kids-go-writers-contest/.