ÐÓ°Épro

 

ÐÓ°Épro youth invited to enter national ’Reading Rainbow’ contest

Submitted by Tammy Tragis
Phone: 907-474-1890
03/12/08

Kindergarteners through third-graders from across the state are invited to write and illustrate original storybooks and enter them in the 14th annual "Reading Rainbow" Young Writers & Illustrators Contest. Entry forms, rules and additional information are available from ÐÓ°ÉproOne by calling 907-474-1890 or online at . Entries must be postmarked by March 21, 2008.

Sponsored by the award-winning PBS television series "Reading Rainbow," the contest attracts about 80 entries statewide and more than 40,000 entries nationally each year. ÐÓ°ÉproOne, together with more than 100 other PBS stations nationwide, offers the contest. Kindergarteners through third-graders enter the contest by creating an original story with illustrations.

"We are proud to participate in this national contest as a way for kids to develop a lifelong love of reading," says KUAC/ÐÓ°ÉproOne CEO and general manager Greg Petrowich. "’Reading Rainbow’ is a prime example of a program creating a fun, exciting platform for education. ÐÓ°ÉproOne is committed to educating every generation, and that’s why we dedicate over 10 hours to quality children’s programming each weekday. "

Every child who enters the contest receives a special certificate of achievement. Statewide winners will receive a "Reading Rainbow" backpack and DVD. Area first-place winners advance to the national competition. Last year, second- and third-grade students from Fairbanks placed first in the statewide contest and advanced to the national competition.

National prizes are awarded to three winning stories in each grade. The national grand-prize winner at each grade level will receive a laptop computer. The second-prize winner in each grade level will receive a flat panel TV with DVD player. The third-place winner in each grade level will receive an MP3 player. Each national winner also receives three "Reading Rainbow" library sets--five DVDs and books--for his or her home, school and library. In addition, national winning stories are featured on , one of the most-visited national websites for children. To read previous national winning stories, as well as a sample of local submissions, visit .

"Reading Rainbow," hosted by actor LeVar Burton, is a critically acclaimed television series that encourages children ages 5 to 10 to read. It is the most-used television program in K-3 classrooms. Now in its 25th season on PBS, this educational series fosters lasting friendships between children and books. The contest builds on the program’s mission to encourage a child’s love of books and reading. The Emmy Award-winning series airs weekdays at 1 p.m. on ÐÓ°ÉproOne.