The East Central Ohio Educational Service Center (ECOESC) held the awards ceremony day of the annual Young Authors & Illustrators Conference and Competition hosted by ​​Kent State Tuscarawas on February 25.

The conference was open to fifth and ninth graders in school districts in Tuscarawas and Guernsey Counties. Schools in attendance at the event included New Philadelphia City Schools, Dover City Schools, Claymont City Schools, and Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools.

The first day of the event back in October allowed the students to start thinking about their stories and illustrations through brainstorming sessions with their partners and interactive lessons with guest speakers. Their final submissions were due in mid-January to allow the judges time to review before everyone reunited in February.

Students arrived around 9 a.m. and shortly began their writing workshops separated by grade level. This time allowed for the students to read and discuss their stories and give constructive feedback and encouragement to their peers. The students had open discussions about the writing/illustrating process, their different styles, and how much they enjoyed reading each other’s submissions.

After lunch, the fifth and ninth graders got back together for the much anticipated awards ceremony! Each grade level had a winner in each of the three categories: Best Story, Best Illustration, and Best Collaboration.

Each winner received a certificate and a mini scholarship to Kent State University Tuscarawas. Congratulations to all of this years’ winners!

Fifth Grade:
Best Collaboration: Anna Klaserner & Violet Ritenour (Dover)
Best Story: Maegan Stewart (Dover)
Best Illustrations: Layton Immel (Tuscarawas Valley)

Ninth Grade:
Best Collaboration: Deidre Cannon & Lydia Dummermuth (New Philadelphia)
Best Story: Kami Huff (Dover)
Best Illustration: Ava Yakley (Dover)