APT Presents Young Writers Awards

Winners in grades K-3 were treated to a special day Saturday with pizza, prizes and more.

2023 APT Young Writers Awards

Alabama Public Television hosted a special day for winners of this year's APT Young Writers Contest for students in grades K-3 on Saturday, April 15. Winners and their families came to Birmingham from all around the state to see a play, eat lunch, receive awards and read their books out loud.

Second grade Young Writer shows off his trophy.The fun began Saturday morning at 11 when winners and their parents and siblings attended the Birmingham Children's Theatre performance of "Miss Fancy: The Elephant Queen of the Zoo," an original production based on the true story of an elephant who was the star of the original Birmingham zoo at Avondale Park.  The Young Writers were recognized for their achievements at the end of the performance.

Winners, parents and siblings then visited APT's headquarters, where many were joined by some extended family as well, for lunch and the awards presentation. APT Executive Director Wayne Reid and Chief Financial Officer Phil Hutcheson presented winners with trophies and a gift certificates, and first place winners received a laptop computer. Several of the writers agreed to read their books out loud to everyone at the gathering.

"I loved hearing these stories," said Reid. "The creativity these kids show is really tremendous. Several told me they are already thinking about their next book."

"This is one of my favorite activities of the year," said Hutcheson, who has been with APT for more than a decade. "You can see how much fun these children have had with their writing and art. We hope to see all of them continue to work at it. Maybe one will become the next big Alabama author!"

THIS YEAR'S WINNERS

Kindergarten girl reads her bookKINDERGARTEN
1st Place to “Bobby Wants Candy” by Deuce Mann, Alexander City, Ala.
2nd Place to “The Buffalo Jumped Over the Fence” by Olan Michael Thornberry, Section, Ala.
3rd Place to “It’s My Birthday” by Kyndall Alicia Gadie, Trussville, Ala.

 

First grade winner reads his book.FIRST GRADE
1st Place to “The Shakeshift Pets” by Colin Kimble, Montgomery, Ala.
2nd Place to “The Handy Dandy Guide to Surviving a New School” by Ren Hawkins, Clanton, Ala.
3rd Place to “Zora and the Dragon Lyda” by Brooklyn Ryan, Pell City, Ala.

 

2nd grade winner reads his book.SECOND GRADE
1st Place to “Wax and Wings” by William Talalight, Owens Cross Roads, Ala.
2nd Place to “The Christmas Reindeer” by Adam Xue, Montgomery, Ala.
3rd Place to “The Loser’s Boat” by Billy Kindred, Gurley, Ala.

 

Third grade student reads her book.THIRD GRADE
1st Place to “Curious Cat’s Field Trip” by John Luke Allcorn, Cullman, Ala.
2nd Place to “The Real Spirit of Christmas” by Ellis Brewer, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
3rd Place to “Lilly’s Big Field Trip” by Emily Bearden, Huntsville, Ala.

Hundreds of children in Alabama create books for the APT Young Writers Contest every year. Children can write about any subject they choose, fiction or non-fiction, in poetry or prose, and then create pictures to go along with their story. Every child who participates receives a certificate of recognition for their work.