Local Students Win NHPTV PBS Kids Story Contest

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. More than 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 talentedchildren 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 writingand reading standards, and is made possible with support from Heinemann, Fidelity Investments, and Lincoln Financial. Eight previous NHPTV contest winners have been recognized by the national PBScontest.

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 atnhptv.org/kidswrite.

First Place
Kindergarten - What If My Best Friend Was a Dog? by Mackenzie S.of Saco, ME
First Grade - The Planet Police by Mia L. of Hampton, NH
Second Grade - My Guatemala by Eva F. of Atkinson, NH and Hampstead Academy
Third Grade - Escape from School by Sebastian S. of Saco, ME

Second Place
Kindergarten -Piggy and Pubm by Hannah L. of Wolfeboro, NH
First Grade -The True Story of Meta in Ethiopia by Meta D. of Manchester, NH
Second Grade - Rachel and the Trash Can by Anuhya C. of Hollis, NH
Third Grade -These Are a Few of My Favorite Things! by Aarika R. of Nashua, NH

Third Place
Kindergarten - About the Tooth Fairy by Nicholas D. of Hampton, NH
First Grade - My Trip to Space by Kaiden Marie R. of Concord, NH
Second Grade - Hannah Returns Home by Rakshitha G. of Windham, NH
Third Grade - Who is More Powerful: A Pencil or an Eraser? by Om S. of Natick, MA

Honorable Mention Kindergarten

The Hungry Alligator by JonathanR. of Berlin, MA
Two Furry Friends by Annika G. of Nashua, NH
The Bird and the Turtle’s Big Race by Elly G. of Peterborough, NH and Peterborough Elementary School
Me and Owen by Vinny C. of Peterborough, NH and Peterborough Elementary School
Fairies and Mermaids by Bridget H. of Peterborough, NH and Peterborough Elementary School
Rainbow Flowers by Lily M. of Peterborough, NH and Peterborough Elementary School
Bad Cat Bob Cat by Kenna S. of Peterborough, NH and Peterborough Elementary School
The Great Peregrine and Raccoon Race by Harlan B. of Peterborough, NH and Peterborough Elementary School
Ethan the Pimpled Chimp by Gavin L. of Bennington, NH
A Boy Who Had a Cavity by Ayanna V. of Concord, NH
Superhero Dustin by Dustin H. of Winchendon, MA
Princess Bella by Iliana L. of Newington, NH and Newington Public School
How the Dinosaurs Died by Maxwell G. of Newington, NH and Newington Public School
Princess Emily by Carmen P. of Newington, NH and Newington Public School

Outstanding Achievement

Kindergarten

Honorable Mention First Grade

The 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
Beanie Boo Where Are You? 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 School

Outstanding Achievement

First Grade

Honorable Mention Second Grade

Love Makes a Tree Grow by Meghan K. of Windham, NH
Eevon the Kind and Helpful by Alex B. of Amherst, NH
The 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, NH
Adventurous Tails by Elsa G. of Manchester, NH
President Lindsay by Eva L. of Marshfield, MA
Have an Open Mind by Saanvi A. of Nashua, NH
Misty’s Boycott by Natalie W. of Lebanon, NH
Something 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, NH
The Hot Desert Adventure by Colin L. of Barrington, NH and Barrington Elementary School
Camping Disaster by Hannah K. of Barrington, NH and Barrington Elementary School

Outstanding Achievement

Second Grade

Honorable Mention Third Grade

The 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 Candy 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 His 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, MA

Outstanding Achievement

Third Grade