Special thanks to Dr. Janette C. Wetsel and the University of Central Oklahoma's Early Childhood Education students, as well as OETA's Blue Ribbon Panel of Judges:

Jean Hendrickson, Executive Director, Oklahoma A+ Schools and Treasurer of the OETA Board of Directors

Al Bostick, Artist in Residence, Oklahoma Arts Council

Michelle Kelley, Promotions Manager, OPUBCO

Heather Weathers, Educational Services Coordinator, Tulsa World

Colleen Woolery, Ready to Learn Coordinator, Oklahoma Department of Libraries

Lori Linstead, Communications Director, Smart Start Oklahoma

This year's winners will be recognized during a ceremony at the Oklahoma State Capitol on May 2. Lieutenant Governor Jari Askins, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Sandy Garrett, legislators, community leaders, educators and contest winners are expected to attend.

CONTEST DETAILS:

OETA teamed up with Reading Rainbow and host LeVar Burton to encourage Oklahoma kids’ love of literature. By submitting entries to Oklahoma’s Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest, children in kindergarten through third grade learned to write and illustrate their own stories.

• Contest launched Monday January 15, 2007 and ended March 31, 2007
• Oklahoma students in kindergarten through third grade were invited to participate
• Children created original stories with illustrations
• Click here to view samples of past winners
• In honor of the Oklahoma Centennial, a special category called That’s Oklahoma! recognized submissions that capture the spirit of our state
• Contest matches most classroom curricular goals and makes an excellent class project
• All participants will receive a Certificate of Achievement signed by LeVar Burton
• 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each grade will receive additional prizes
• First place winners will be entered into the national Contest
• Winners will be recognized during a special ceremony at the Oklahoma State Capitol with teachers, classmates, parents, legislators and other special guests