PBS KIDS WRITERS CONTEST AWARDS NEWS RELEASE – KNPB and the Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RTIA) celebrate the 2014 winners of the PBS Kids Writers Contest June 3 at 5:30 p.m. at the Airport. Contest winners, who were selected May 20 from hundreds of northern Nevada elementary school students who submitted stories and accompanying illustrations, are featured in a freestanding installation near the ticket area of the airport during the summer. Each of the 12 winners receive a hardbound copy of his or her book, among other honors, during the Tuesday evening event.
“The winning stories this year are some of the most creative I’ve seen,” said Kurt Mische, president and CEO of KNPB. “Everyone who comes in or out of the airport will be able to read and enjoy these stories from our talented youth. I hope this helps spread the pride our community has for education and young writers.”
Along with the students’ hard-cover book, each of the dozen winners also receive a copy of him or herself reading the book aloud on DVD; a feature which airs at a later date on KNPB. Each winning story was selected based on creativity and originality, story structure and use of literary devices, relevance, quality, and originality of illustration. The top three stories from students in kindergarten through third grade were selected for top honors.
The RTIA provides snacks and beverages for all family and friends in attendance at the June 3 event. For more information, visit www.knpb.org or follow KNPB on Twitter and Facebook.
The PBS KIDS Writers Contest is produced by PBS and is based on the Reading Rainbow® Young Writers and Illustrators Contest, a concept developed by WNED-TV, Buffalo. National Prizing and promotional considerations are provided by LeapFrog® with additional promotional support from Highlights for Children®. The Contest is sponsored in part locally by United Federal Credit Union, Reno Gazette-Journal, Dolan Auto Group, IGT, The Abbi Agency, Reno News & Review, Great Basin Federal Credit Union, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Umpqua Bank, City National Bank, Mountain America Credit Union, Sage Financial Advisors, Western Nevada Supply, and with support from the Lafrance Family Foundation, Marie Crowley Foundation, Abraham & Sonia Rochlin Foundation, Leonette Foundation, Jack Van Sickle Foundation, and the Nell J. Redfield Foundation.
KNPB Public Broadcasting is seen by 140,000 people weekly in northern Nevada and northeastern California. KNPB provides 3 digital broadcast television channels on channel 5.1, KNPB Create on channel 5.2 and KNPB Vme on channel 5.3. KNPB channels are also available on cable and satellite services. KNPB provides PBS national programming and award winning locally produced KNPB programming in standard and high definition. KNPB.org provides engaging interactive content, including the KNPB video portal at watch.knpb.org that streams all locally produced KNPB content and most PBS national content. KNPB serves students, teachers, parents and caregivers through immersive educational services from KNPB Campus that bring classroom lessons to life. Through the support of local corporations and foundations, as well as individual members, KNPB has been delivering public television and educational services to the communities it serves since 1983. For more information visit knpb.org, or follow KNPB on Twitter and Facebook.
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.
Through WNED-TV, ThinkBright and Well/WORLD TV, WBFO-FM 88.7 and Classical 94.5 WNED, member-supported WNED Buffalo/Toronto provides high quality programming and services to local, regional and national audiences that enlighten, inspire, entertain and educate Western New York and Southern Ontario communities. Additional information about WNED can be found at wned.org.
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.
Devoted to “Fun with a Purpose,” family media brand Highlights for Children, Inc. (Highlights.com) has helped children become their best selves for generations. Highlights magazines are the best-read children’s magazines in North America, and total more than 250 million impressions each year. In addition to the flagship magazine, Highlights’ other offerings include a preschool magazine (High Five), an infant and toddler magazine (Hello), a children’s book company (Boyds Mills Press), puzzle book clubs and a variety of digital products. Highlights can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and at its blog, Highlights Aha!
