Ozarks Public Television proudly presents the annual OPT/PBS KIDS® Writers Contest, designed to promote the advancement of children’s literacy skills through hands-on, active learning. The Contest empowers children in grades K-3 to celebrate creativity and build literacy skills by writing and illustrating their very own stories.

2025 OPT/PBS KIDS Writers Contest

The winners of the 2025 OPT/PBS KIDS Writers Contest have been announced! Winning stories will be on display at Waverly House Gifts & Gallery in Springfield June 18 - July 2.  For gallery hours, visit www.waverlyhouse.com or call 417-882-3445. 

Check out the list of this year’s winners and read their stories below!

KINDERGARTEN
1st Place:            Milo Quiring, Springfield– Floppy and Flap
2nd Place:          Jericho Jones, Branson West – Puppy Playtime
3rd Place:           Cayo Vallejo, Springfield – Baby Bear and the Wolf
FIRST GRADE
1st Place:            Joshua Troup, Farmington – The Little Blue Bird
2nd Place:          Drew Stewart, Bolivar – Trouble on the Titanic
3rd Place:           Kate Pederson, Waterloo, IL – The Pig Who Didn’t Want to Take a Bath
SECOND GRADE
1st Place:            Maci-Rae Mizell, Springfield – Axey and Oxo Adventures!
2nd Place:          Kendrie Jones, Branson West – The Three Ponies
3rd Place:           Graham Ifland, Willard – Gracein’s Big Game
THIRD GRADE
1st Place:            Sam Cantrell, Marshfield – The Stinky Sock
2nd Place:          Theodore Quiring, Springfield– Maxwell Mouse and the Aquarium
3rd Place:           Croix Vallejo, Springfield – The Brothers’ Adventure to a Hidden Dino World