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.

2022 OPT/PBS KIDS Writers Contest

Thank you to all the young authors who entered the 2022 Contest. With so many great stories, selecting winners wasn't easy. Thanks to the MSU professors who served on our judging panel.

Congratulations to our 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!

Winning stories will be displayed at Waverly House Gifts & Gallery in Springfield, MO June 21- July 1 and at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Children's Literacy Festival in Mansfield, MO November 3-4. We hope you'll make plans to attend these exhibits!