Author: WVPB Pressroom

Winners Announced For The 2024 PBS Kids Writers Contest At WVPB

The winners of the 2024 PBS Kids Writers Contest at West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) have been announced. Eighteen stories written and illustrated by children in grades K-5 were chosen out of more than 175 entries from across the state.

Charleston, WV – (April 4, 2024) The winners of the 2024 PBS Kids Writers Contest at West Virginia Public Broadcasting (WVPB) have been announced. Eighteen stories written and illustrated by children in grades K-5 were chosen out of more than 175 entries from across the state.

“This was another successful year of creativity for our annual PBS Kids Writers Contest. The children of West Virginia are excellent writers capable of captivating stories. Thank you to the West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute (WVDII) for sponsoring the event again this year,” said Maggie Holley, director of Education at WVPB.

“The Institute is pleased to sponsor this important event. We know that keeping kids safe and preventing them from using or misusing illicit and prescription drugs requires activities that keep youth engaged with positive and meaningful activities. Writing, much like sports, is one of of those protective factors,” said Dr. Susan Bissett, president of WVDII. 

“As a winner of a writing contest when I was 10 years old, I also have a special place in my heart for this event,” said Bissett.

Winners will be contacted by WVPB with information about our awards ceremony in May held at the Culture Center in Charleston.

All participants will receive a prize pack mailed to them by WVPB and PBS Kids.

The PBS Kids Writers Contest at WVPB is an annual competition that encourages West Virginia children in grades K-5 to explore the power of creativity by writing and illustrating their own stories.

For questions, please email WVPB Education at education@wvpublic.org.

See below for our 2024 winners:

2024 Writers Contest Winners

Kindergarten

1st place: The Magic by Hazel Hagler

2nd place: What Do You Do? by Ava Redden

3rd place: Ballet is Magical and I Love It by Angeline Vittek

1st Grade

1st place: The Boy and the Time Machine by Elias Cooper

2nd place: The Hungry Tree by Rowan Bailey

3rd place: Mittens and Cocoa by Helina Goodwin

2nd grade

1st place: The Magic Corgi by Avonlea Cooper

2nd place: Detective Casie and the Find of the Unicorn Fossil by Francesca Briar Shangler

3rd place: Rainbow Ducky by Kensi Thomas

3rd grade

1st place: Protest for Pluto by Hazel Williams

2nd place: Parents Just Don’t Understand by Elise Silber

3rd place: From Triplets to Twins by Lauren Blake Bledsoe

4th grade

1st place: One in a Million by Ivy Ware

2nd place: The Island’s Prophecy by Lucy Lacocque

3rd place: Pickle Pete by Lilly Ann Stubbs

5th grade

1st place: The Sheriff That Changed by Mia Hutchison

2nd place: From My Backyard to Mars by Harper Russell

3rd place: The Dancer’s Promise by Lillian Swearingen

Hope And Healing Documentary To Premiere On April 23, 2024

“Hope and Healing: A Discussion with West Virginia Youth” is a collaboration between West Virginia Public Broadcasting and the West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute (WVDII). Youth from West Virginia gathered for the project to talk about issues they face on topics including substance use disorder, bullying, social media, and mental health. The project will be screened on Tuesday, April 23, at 5:30 p.m. at the University of Charleston’s Geary Auditorium. The screening is free and open to the public.

An eye-opening documentary illuminating teen struggles presented by West Virginia Public Broadcasting and the West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute

Charleston, WV – (April 1, 2024) – A video project with West Virginia youth talking about issues they face, ranging from social media to substance use disorder, will premiere at a public screening in April at the University of Charleston.

“Hope and Healing: A Discussion with West Virginia Youth” is a collaboration between West Virginia Public Broadcasting and the West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute (WVDII). Youth from West Virginia gathered for the project to talk about issues they face on topics including substance use disorder, bullying, social media, and mental health. The project will be screened on Tuesday, April 23, at 5:30 p.m. at the University of Charleston’s Geary Auditorium. The screening is free and open to the public.

The project will broadcast statewide on WVPB Television on Monday, April 29, at 9 p.m. and will be available on all WVPB’s streaming platforms, including the PBS App, YouTube, and at wvpublic.org.

“These teens had very open and honest conversations about their struggles and of those around them to educate other teenagers and adults better,” said Heather McDaniel, WVDII’s vice president.

Filmed at the University of Charleston’s new downtown innovation center, the project underscores the importance of listening to youth voices and understanding their perspectives. It features candid discussions with middle and high school students in West Virginia. The youths express what they wish adults knew about navigating life in today’s world, from discussing their encounters in schools to offering advice on effective communication and prevention strategies. The participants engage in a thought-provoking roundtable discussion aimed at fostering empathy and awareness.

“We believe ‘Hope and Healing’ has the power to spark important conversations and drive positive change in our communities,” said Maggie Holley, WVPB’s director of Education.

The WVPB Education Department and the WVDII encourage guidance counselors in school systems throughout the state to use this video and accompanying activities as a resource.

Those interested in attending the screening at the University of Charleston on April 23 should RSVP to rhiannon@wvdii.org.

For more information about the West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute, contact President Susan Bissett at susan@wvdii.org or Vice President Heather McDaniel at heather@wvdii.org.

For more information about West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s education programs, contact education@wvpublic.org.

Watch the promotional trailer for Hope and Healing using this link or click below.

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About the West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute

Located in Charleston, West Virginia, the mission of the Drug Intervention Institute is to reduce opioid and drug-related deaths in Appalachia and the nation by (a) preventing substance use through education (b) reducing overdose through training and distribution related to naloxone and other opioid reversal agents, and (c) supporting harm reduction and other drug-response efforts.

About West Virginia Public Broadcasting

West Virginia Public Broadcasting is dedicated to Telling West Virginia’s Story through its state radio and television network and online platforms. WVPB’s mission is to educate, inform and inspire the people of West Virginia. WVPB is the Mountain State’s only source for national NPR and PBS programming.

WVPB Newsroom Has 11 Finalists In 8 Categories Of The 2023 Virginias AP Broadcasters Awards 

West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s News Department has secured 11 nominations in eight categories in the 2023 Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters annual awards competition. This competition includes the best radio and television stations in both West Virginia and Virginia. 

West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s News Department has secured 11 nominations in eight categories in the 2023 Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters annual awards competition. This competition includes the best radio and television stations in both West Virginia and Virginia. 

The awards include stories from programs Us & Them and Inside Appalachia. 

Us & Them is produced by Trey Kay for WVPB, and Inside Appalachia is our 20 plus year old news magazine show that looks at the culture, history and future of the Appalachian region. Part of that show is the Folkways Project which encourages amateur reporters to go into their communities and report on what they see. Two of those stories were finalists in the Best Light Feature category. 

The daily newsroom secured five finalist nominations in Best Continuing News, Best MMJ/One-Person Band Reporter, Best QA (One-on-One) Interview, Best Specialty Reporting, and Excellence in Public Service Through Journalism. 

“These awards recognize the hard work and innovation the news team and the shows like Inside Appalachia put into covering our region,” said Eric Douglas, WVPB news director. “But it is just the tip of the iceberg in the thousands of stories we publish each year to help tell West Virginia’s story.”

There were 35 judges who evaluated 619 entries from 38 news organizations in Virginia and West Virginia. The finalists are listed in random order. The actual order of finish —  first and second places — will be announced at the VAPB Awards Luncheon on Saturday, March 23, 12-3 p.m., at The Greenbrier Resort.  

Best Continuing News:

Best MMJ/One-Person Band Reporter: 

Best QA (One-on-One) Interview:

Best Specialty Reporting:

  • Ben Paviour, VPM News, Richmond, VA, “Politics/Criminal Justice”;

  • Emily Rice, WVPB-FM, Charleston, WV, “Unwinding Medicaid.”

Excellence in Public Service Through Journalism: 

Best Podcast-Audio:

Best Light Feature:

Best Mountain State Heritage:

Holley Joins West Virginia Department Of Education Leaders Of Literacy Council

West Virginia Public Broadcasting is proud to announce that Education Director Maggie Holley will serve on the newly formed West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) Leaders of Literacy Advisory Council.

West Virginia Public Broadcasting is proud to announce that Education Director Maggie Holley will serve on the newly formed West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) Leaders of Literacy Advisory Council. The purpose of the council is to engage a network of stakeholders in the WVDE’s Ready, Read, Write, West Virginia literacy initiative. More than 30 individuals representing government, businesses, non-profits, education, families and communities participated.

“It is an honor to serve on the Leaders of Literacy Advisory Committee, along with so many other talented individuals,” stated Holley. “The mission of increasing literacy among all West Virginia students aligns perfectly with the mission and goals at West Virginia Public Broadcasting. I look forward to being a part of this team and helping in any way I can.”

Ready, Read, Write is West Virginia’s effort to increase literacy proficiency among students in grades K–12. It is rooted in research and the belief that all students can learn to read with effective reading instruction. Based on the science of reading, Ready, Read, Write equips students with tools and strategies that allow them to grow as strong readers using the five pillars that include phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension as well as writing.

“We appreciate the commitment of our Leaders of Literacy Advisory Council in joining us on this important journey,” said State Superintendent of School David L. Roach in a press release. “Our commitment to enhancing student literacy is critical to student success and is among the most urgent work we have as a Department of Education and as a state.”

The council will work within subgroups to support a variety of activities in their local communities and statewide. Their involvement is key to increasing awareness and interest in the Ready, Read, Write, West Virginia efforts.

You can learn more about the West Virginia Public Broadcasting Education Department initiatives and resources at wvpublic.org.

WVPB's PBS content now live on YouTube TV

Beginning today, West Virginia Public Broadcasting viewers and YouTube TV subscribers will have access to educational and inspiring PBS content.

Dedicated live channels for WVPB and PBS KIDS are now available to YouTube TV subscribers, expanding WVPB’s digital footprint and offering viewers additional ways to stream PBS. To access the full PBS lineup, viewers can visit the YouTube TV live guide or the PBS schedule here. The service does require a subscription to YouTube TV.
 

YouTube TV represents PBS’s first livestreaming partnership and includes episodes from PBS favorites, including American Experience, Antiques Roadshow, Frontline, Great Performances, Masterpiece, Nature and more. The accompanying PBS KIDS 24/7 channel extends the organization’s mission of helping prepare children for success in school and life through trusted, educational media, available anytime and anywhere. Users can access favorite series, such as Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Molly of Denali, Odd Squad, Pinklicious & Peterrific, Wild Kratts and Sesame Street. YouTube TV subscribers also can access select content through YouTube TV’s Video on Demand service.

In addition to YouTube TV, WVPB content is available on all WVPB-branded PBS platforms, including PBS.org and PBSKIDS.org, as well as the PBS Video app and PBS KIDS Video app available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung TV and Chromecast. WVPB members who sustain the station at the $5 per month minimum also are able to view an extended library of quality public television programming via Passport.

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