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.
2023 OPT/PBS KIDS Writers Contest
The 2023 KIDS Writers Contest kicks off February 10th, with entries due by FRIDAY, APRIL 28th. The contest is open to kids in kindergarten through 3rd grade. Local winners will be celebrated at an awards banquet this summer, have their stories on display in-person and online, and receive awesome prizes!
Use the links below to review the contest rules, and be sure to submit a completed entry form with your story!
MAIL ENTRIES
Ozarks Public Television
ATTN: KIDS Writers Contest
901 South National
Springfield, MO 65897
IN-PERSON DELIVERY
Strong Hall, Room 102
900 South Holland
Springfield, MO 65897
*Ask for Stefanie
EMAIL SUBMISSIONS
events@optv.org
Note: If submitting electronically, please provide full-color scans of each page, correctly ordered, in a PDF file format.
2022 Contest Winners
KINDERGARTEN
1st Place: Myles Stump, Spokane, MO – Fred the Fisherman
2nd Place: Samson Haahr, Springfield, MO – Secret Islands and Hidden Treasure
3rd Place: Margaret Pederson, Waterloo, IL – The Four Friends
1ST GRADE
1st Place: Sadie Jones, Branson West, MO – Forest Friends
2nd Place: Olivia Guo, Springfield, MO – Lovely the Unicorn – Butterfly Made New Friends
3rd Place: Barrett Mough, Springfield, MO – The Secret in the Jungle
2ND GRADE
1st Place: Gianna Acosta, Springfield, MO – Colors And Horns
2nd Place: Jaxon Burkhart, Bradleyville, MO – The Lone Wolf
3rd Place: Caleb Troup, Farmington, MO – Into the Forbidden Woods
3RD GRADE
1st Place: Victoria Guo, Springfield, MO – Teresa, Katrina, and the Dragon
2nd Place: Gunner Duck, Omaha, AR – Ninja Puppy in China
3rd Place: Silas Moulder, Strafford, MO – The Land of the Magical
Click the links above to read the winning stories!