MILLER COLLEGE CHILDREN’S LITERATURE PROJECT ANNOUNCES SECOND ROUND WINNERS

At the start of the 2009/2010 school year, 3rd, 4th and 5th graders living in Calhoun County and beyond were invited to participate in a writing and illustration contest in conjunction with Miller College. 954 students took advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

In December, schools were asked to submit no more than six books per category, Best Writing, Best Illustration and Best Overall Book. 430 submissions were turned into the College at the start of Christmas break.

Since that time period, Miller College student volunteers have been working to narrow those 430 books down to a mere 54, which will then be passed along to the community panel of judges charged with selecting the top three in each category for each grade.

“I am so proud of the students for their creativity and hard work! Choosing only 54 was not an easy task for the student judges. I don’t envy the community panel of judges - their task will not be easy!”, states Jenny Andrews, Project Director.

In conjunction with the writing and illustration contest, children’s book author and illustrator, David Small, and author, Sarah Stewart, will be spending three days in Battle Creek beginning with a book sale and signing being held at Miller College on March 16th, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. On March 17th the final 27 winners will be celebrated at an Awards Dinner at the Holiday Inn in Battle Creek. Winners will receive invitations via mail. In addition, David and Sarah will present to area high school and college age students at Lakeview High School on March 18th, an Educational Symposium. If your class is interested in attending, please call Jenny Andrews at Miller College, (269) 660-8021.

David Small’s art exhibit will be on display at the Battle Creek Art Center during the months of February and March. An opening reception will be held on February 7th from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. For more information on the Miller College Children’s Project and events, please visit: www.millercollege.edu/learning_project.



Miller College proudly announces the following students have been selected to move on to the final round:

3rd Grade Best Writing:
Jake Beronja – Westlake Elementary, Mrs. Acheson
Zachary Seivert – Westlake Elementary, Mrs. Acheson
Michael Crinion – Wattles Park Elementary, Mrs. Lawson
Madison Elliott – Dunlap Elementary, Mrs. Hallack
Carledo White – Westlake Elementary, Mrs. Acheson
Savanna Park – Riverside Elementary, Mrs. Martin

3rd Grade Best Illustration:
Amy Beebe – Westlake Elementary, Mrs. Acheson
Sasha Bottom – Westlake Elementary, Mrs. Acheson
Anna Hagood – Westlake Elementary, Mrs. Acheson
Payton Espolon – St. Joseph Elementary, Mrs. Kuenzel
Robert Cato – Dunlap Elementary, Mrs. Shafer
Brooklynn Stanley – Westlake Elementary, Mrs. Acheson

3rd Grade Best Overall Book:
Mallory Bandlow – Westlake Elementary, Mrs. Acheson
Ryan Reincke – St. Joseph Elementary, Mrs. Schaub
Jackson Tallent & Griffin Fortney – Riverside Elementary, Mrs. Martin
Ruben Rosas – Coburn Elementary, Mrs. Parker
Jude Cox – St. Joseph Elementary, Mrs. Kuenzel
Yasuto Takahashi & Shane Shaw – Riverside Elementary, Mrs. Martin

4th Grade Best Writing:
Bethanie Simons – Olivet Middle School, Mrs. Mestemaker
Tyreese Watson – LaMora Park Elementary, Mrs. Olaniyi
Josh Millikin – Minges Brook Elementary, Mrs. Comer
Alex Latunski – Olivet Middle School, Mrs. Mestemaker
Jackson Maduri – St. Joseph Elementary, Mrs. LaLonde
Kirstin Finnila – St. Joseph Elementary, Mrs. LaLonde

4th Grade Best Illustration:
Morgan Mowry – Dunlap Elementary, Mrs. Burland
Justin Mousseau – LaMora Park Elementary, Mrs. Olaniyi
Nettie Chane – Minges Brook Elementary, Mrs. Comer
Kenneth Wojcik – St. Joseph Elementary, Mrs. Vandenboss
Brianna Vanderpol – Minges Brook Elementary, Mrs. Graber
Maxwell Soderberg – Olivet Middle School, Mrs. Brewer

4th Grade Best Overall Book:
Kennedy Allen – Minges Brook Elementary, Mrs. Comer
Morgan Palmer – Olivet Middle School, Mrs. Turner
Thomas McLane – Olivet Middle School, Mrs. Brewer
Ariana Saifollahi – St. Joseph Elementary, Mrs. LaLonde
Sae Kato – Minges Brook Elementary, Mrs. Comer
Noah Lopshire – LaMora Park Elementary, Mrs. Olaniyi

5th Grade Best Writing:
Hannah Wezensky – Marshall Middle School, Mrs. Douglass
Emily Huepenbecker – Marshall Middle School, Mrs. Price
Liam Russell – Marshall Middle School, Mrs. Price
Riley Brownell – Marshall Middle School, Mrs. Price
Alexandra Costin – St. Joseph Elementary, Mrs. Rench
Bronwyn Carter – Olivet Middle School, Mrs. Miller

5th Grade Best Illustration:
Lauren Milne – Marshall Middle School, Mrs. Douglass
Tori Westmoreland – Marshall Middle School, Mrs. Douglass
Josie Herman – Marshall Middle School, Mrs. Hulkow
Lucas Meyer – Olivet Middle School, Mrs. Miller
Brad Heidenreich – Marshall Middle School, Mrs. Hulkow
Nicholas Insley & Allyson Smith – Valley View Elementary, Mr. Richards

5th Grade Best Overall Book:
Juliana Unger – St. Joseph Elementary, Mrs. Rench
Julia Hope – Marshall Middle School, Mrs. Douglass
Carlee Kitchen – Valley View Elementary, Mr. Richards
Jane Turner – Olivet Middle School, Mrs. Turner
Hannah Swank – Valley View Elementary, Mr. Richards
Hannah Pearl & Kameron Haley – St. Joseph Elementary, Mrs. Rench

Congratulations to all participants, teachers and families!