Smoky Hills PBS (SHPBS) unveiled the winners of the 2025 PBS KIDS Writers Contest. This year’s contest received a number of entries from students in grades 1 through 5, each one showcasing imagination, heart, and unique voices from our local communities in Central and Western Kansas.
The PBS KIDS Writers Contest encourages children to express their creativity through original stories and illustrations. Entries are judged on originality, creative expression, storytelling, and integration of illustrations.
To read the winning stories and view the “Young Writers & Illustrators Award Show”, visit SmokyHillsPBS.org. The Award Show is also available to stream here: 2025 Award Show
2025 Smoky Hills PBS KIDS Writers Contest winners
First Grade
1st – Elaina Ballerina – Elaina Schroeder – Hays
2nd – The Kitty Rescue – Evelyn Johnson – Sterling
3rd – The Snow Monster Who Hates Christmas – Reata Schultze – Osborne Elementary
Second Grade
1st – The Babysitter – Mila LeSage - Hays
2nd – Butterscotch - Friends Forever - Elsie Mai – Smart Cookies Tutoring, Russell
3rd – Riley’s Surprise – Riley Schroeder - Hays
Third Grade
1st – Blueberry Jeffrey and His Adventure – Addison Little - Otis-Bison Elementary
2nd – The Discovery of the Huge Robot – Jake Brack – Otis-Bison Elementary
3rd – Erik the Gnome Meets New Friends – Halle Cory - Otis-Bison Elementary
Fourth Grade
1st - The Sock – Chiara Lueger - Beloit
2nd – The Clock That Couldn’t Tick – Jenson Miller - Gorham
3rd – My Lake Trip – Bryce Irwin - Hays
Fifth Grade
1st – Zellie’s Lofty Dream – Rebekah Lueger – St. John’s Catholic School, Beloit
2nd – Miss Kay’s Garden – Jayden Keller – Damar Elementary
3rd – Lucky The Lost Kitten – Brynn Halbleib – Oakley