BUNKER HILL – Smoky Hills Public Television has announced the winners for the 2014 PBS Kids Writer’s Contest. More than 80 entries were submitted from January through March from across central and western Kansas. Children ages kindergarten through third grade were eligible to enter stories.

A group of community volunteers read each story and determined the winners. Up to three places could be awarded in each grade level.

“The children had to write original stories and include illustrations to be eligible for a prize,” said SHPTV Education Director Leona Breeden. “We were so impressed with the creativity of the stories. The Writer’s Contest is designed to engage children’s creativity while honing their writing skills. The kids did a fantastic job.”

The children, whose stories placed, received a prize pack and a trophy.

The winners at the local level are submitted to the national contest for judging this summer. The winners will be announced by Aug. 31.

The local winners were:

Kindergarten:
1st Place – Asher Selee, Garden City
2nd Place – Elkan Spear, Park City

1st Grade:
1st Place – Kassi Kaser, Osborne
2nd Place – Hannah Coop, Osborne
3rd Place – Jaiden Bennett, Osborne

2nd Grade:
1st Place – Gracie Riner, Osborne
2nd Place – Carlie Carlgren, Concordia
3rd Place – Madelyn Stiles, Concordia

3rd Grade:
1st Place – Kiersten Morgan, Concordia
2nd Place – Tiana Selee, Garden City
3rd Place – Ariana Perrin, Concordia