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.

2021 OPT/PBS KIDS Writers Contest

How the Contest Works
Beginning February 5, 2021, children can submit their entries to the OPT/PBS KIDS Writers Contest. The entry deadline is April 30, 2021. OPT will select local winners and award prizes in the summer of 2021. Additionally, local winners will be featured on OPTV.org, and winning stories will be displayed at Waverly House Gifts and Gallery in Summer 2021.

Contest Rules/Entry Form
Please review the Contest Rules for eligibility guidelines and story requirements. All entries must be accompanied by an entry form signed by the child's parent or guardian. Please make sure you print clearly as we use the information on the entry forms to create award certificates, mail back stories, and communicate with parents via email. You can access the entry form and rules below, or you may contact OPT via email or call 417-836-6256 to request an entry form.

Creative Writing Resources
This packet contains a series of resources to help your little writers break down the process of story writing. It includes a teacher’s guide and printable documents to help writers with brainstorming, revising, illustrating, and caption-writing. Let the story writing begin!

Teachers can find additional resources at PBS Learning Media.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2020 OPT/PBS KIDS Writers Contest:

KINDERGARTEN:
1st Place: Ryker Inlow, Republic, MO - “The Attack of the Flying Angies”
2nd Place: Kalen Sprenger, Springfield, MO - “The Crazy Video Game”
3rd Place: Gianna Acosta, Springfield, MO - “Paul Finds a Home”

1ST GRADE:
1st Place: Rachael Rosenbury, Springfield, MO - “The LIttlest Chick”
2nd Place: Cameren Lamb, Fort Scott, KS - “The Zoo”
3rd Place (tie): Lucas Moll, St. Louis, MO - “Beluse the Bear”
3rd Place (tie): Zoey Shoemaker, Springfield, MO - “George’s Trip”

2ND GRADE:
1st Place: Abi Lemonier, Ozark, MO - “Nancy Finds a Friend”
2nd Place: Anley Morrison, Walnut Shade, MO - “The Girl with Gills and Lungs”
3rd Place: Elsie Slone, Nixa, MO - “Ellen the Dreamer”

3RD GRADE:
1st Place: Dalton Morrison, Walnut Shade, MO - “Dimension Chest”
2nd Place (tie): Caden Edlund, Nixa, MO - “The Weird Book”
2nd Place (tie): Samuel Walworth, Branson, MO - “Timmy Gets a Maggik Lesson”
3rd Place: Nick Crawford, California, MO - “The Missouri Ski Trip”