WGTE announces winners of contest

Toledo: WGTE Public Media proudly announces the winners of the 14th Annual Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest. Over 300 children from the WGTE TV viewing area wrote and illustrated storybooks.

The Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest was open to children in kindergarten, first, second, and third grades. Each grade level was judged separately by a panel of educators, and entries were judged on originality, creative expression, storytelling and integration of text and illustrations.

The 2008 roster of winners included:

KINDERGARTEN

First Place: Natalie Nagel, Toledo, OH

Second Place: Brendan Meehan, Pemberville, OH

Third Place: Maheen Haq, Perrysburg, OH

FIRST GRADE

First Place: Elizabeth Ghareeb, Temperence, MI

Second Place: Julia Schrameck, Toledo, OH

Third Place: Noah C. Fulcomer, Bluffton, OH

SECOND GRADE

First Place: Logan Kempf, Mount Cory, OH

Second Place: Muna Farhan, Toledo, OH

Third Place: Khalan Tien Kim Le, Toledo, OH

THIRD GRADE

First Place: Madison Spears, Temperance, MI

Second Place: Ashley Fallon, Newport, MI

Third Place: Sarah Smidi, Toledo, OH

WGTE Public Media held an appreciation party at our studios on April 12, 2008, honoring all of the winners and entrants of the 2008 contest. All entrants received a certificate of recognition signed by series host LeVar Burton. The first place winners in each grade level will be sent on to the national contest. National winners will be announced in June 2008.