One of America’s pioneering filmmakers had nothing to do with Hollywood but nevertheless left his mark on the emerging industry. Oscar Micheaux was a homesteader, who then turned his attention to making movies in the early 1900s. He was a Black man who made movies for Black audiences at a time when they weren’t allowed into mainstream, white-only theaters. And for several pivotal years in the 1920s, he operated out of Roanoke, Virginia.
The Writers Contest is an annual tradition for WVPB. This year there were a record number of entries submitted, from students in kindergarten through fifth grade. There was an incredible range of entries from both in-state and out-of-state, entries from entire schools, from homeschoolers, from library and afterschool programs and from our PBS Kids who learned of the contest and wanted to write a story.
It is always exciting to read the stories and marvel at the orignial artwork. We are pleased to be able to share these stories with you.
The Writers Contest provides an opportunity to showcase student works, it also provides an educational laboratory opportunity for students in Marshall University’s Education program to examine and evaluate student work, the education majors serve as judges. The experience provides them real experience of working with a rubric and to see a wide cross section of student work. Marshall Professor Mindy Backus has integrated this event into her class assignments.
We hope you enjoy looking at the fiction and non-fiction stories. The adventures of people and the adventures of animals. To those who submitted stories we thank you and hope youkeep on writing.
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Shane Healy, a social studies teacher at Capital High School in Kanawha County, earned WVPB’s December 2025 Above and Beyond Award. As part of the recognition, Healy received a monetary award and a signature Blenko Glass apple paperweight. The West Virginia State Treasurer’s Office, presenter of the SMART529 college savings program, proudly sponsors the award.
Shannon Silverman, an astrophysicist at the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences in Charleston, West Virginia, guides us through the cosmos above the Mountain State.
Stephanie Fryer, a special education teacher at South Man Elementary in Logan County, earned West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s November 2025 Above and Beyond Award. Fryer is known for creating a nurturing and inclusive classroom environment where every child feels valued and supported. She works persistently to meet students’ academic, social and emotional needs.
The West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Above and Beyond Teacher Award is in honor of educators from all grade levels (K-12) and disciplines who go the extra mile. These teachers are known for paving the way for academic achievement, using new and innovative strategies to reach students, or simply making a difference in the lives of their students every day.
