The East Central Ohio Educational Service Center hosted its annual Young Authors’ and Illustrators’ Conference and Competition awards ceremony on Feb. 27, at Kent State University Tuscarawas, celebrating the work of fifth and ninth-grade students from Tuscarawas and Guernsey Counties.
There were 37 fifth-grade students and 34 ninth-grade students who participated in the conference this year. This year’s participating districts include: Claymont, Dover, East Guernsey, Indian Valley, New Philadelphia, Newcomerstown, and Tuscarawas Valley.
The ceremony capped a months-long creative journey that began on Oct. 3 when student authors and illustrators first gathered for a day of workshops led by professional authors and illustrators. Writers explored the fundamentals of storytelling, such as theme, genre, and plot while the illustrators learned the basics of visual storytelling, from composition and character design to bringing a narrative to life on the page.
Students were paired to co-create original stories combining strong writing with compelling illustrations. Working across grade levels, each student used their unique perspective and skills when brainstorming ideas and working collaboratively with their partner to choose their story direction. The duos continued developing their work through January before submitting finished pieces for completion. All entries were compiled into an anthology and distributed to participating schools and local libraries.
At the Feb. 27 event, students workshopped each other’s completed stories before the awards ceremony recognized excellence in writing, illustration, and collaboration. Winners received certificates, medals, and trophies. The following awards were presented:
- 5th Grade Literary Excellence Award, Ruby Chumney, Tuscarawas Valley, Once Upon A Dragon
- 9th Grade Literary Excellence Award — William Ohmart, New Philadelphia, The Unknown Thing
- 5th Grade Artistic Excellence Award — Raeleigh McCumbers, Tuscarawas Valley, The Unknown World
- 9th Grade Artistic Excellence Award — Delaney Nottingham, Dover, Diary of Adham
- 5th Grade Author-Illustrator Excellence Award — Ruby Chumney & Jasmine Masterson, Tuscarawas Valley, Once Upon a Dragon
- 9th Grade Author-Illustrator Excellence Award — Morgan Shalosky & Delaney Nottingham, Dover, In Every Life After
This annual student event brought together talented young authors and illustrators from across the region to celebrate creativity, collaboration, and the art of story telling.
