Young Authors League

debra — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 20:26:45 +0000

Debra Gano is the Director for the Young Authors League (YAL) and the President of the CIPA Education and Literacy Foundation (ELF), a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and inspiring school-age children to read and write.

This past year, YAL organized a Student Short Story Writing Competition titled, “Making the World a Better Place,” in which fourth and fifth grade students of the Cherry Creek School District in the Denver area were invited to submit a short story or artwork expressing this inspiring theme.

It is with great pleasure that we announce the publication of the Young Authors League book, Making the World a Better Place: Student Stories about Making a Difference!

Several activities were planned for the release of the YAL book and recognition of its wonderful contributors, and any additional events & activites will be posted here.

We had a fantastic room-packed recognition ceremony and dinner on Friday, March 26, in conjunction with the annual Colorado Independent Publishers Association’s (CIPA) College (www.cipabooks.com).

On Friday, April 2, the Aurora Sentinal newspaper interviewed and photographed YAL students store for a story that appeared Thursday, April 8! To see story, visit http://www.aurorasentinel.com/articles/2010/04/10/news/doc4bbf902b308c5466761804.txt

Our book launch took place on EARTH DAY (how perfect!!), Thursday, April 22, from 4-8 pm at the Southlands Mall Barnes & Noble store, with a formal presentation at 5 PM. YAL authors and artists were there to autograph and it was a great success! (read the PRESS RELEASE)

YAL students also autographed on Friday, May 14, from 5-7 PM at the Barnes & Noble LoneTree/Park Meadows location for another fun event.

Copies of Making the World a Better Place are available for $14.00 at www.cipabooks.com/YAL, along with Barnes & Noble bookstores and on Amazon.

Please know the ALL proceeds from the purchase of this book benefit the CIPA Education and Literacy Foundation to allow similar and future programs to continue to build excitement in children for literacy.

Photos from the events will be posted here and my facebook fan page at www.Facebook.com/HeartlightGirls. Be sure to become a fan!

A big Thank You to ALL who entered – your participation in this contest really DID help “make the world a better place!” Keep writing……and students in other school districts, stay tuned – your turn is next!

Please be sure to leave a comment below, love to hear from you!!!

Last summer, YAL finalists, parents, and teachers, were brought together for a writing workshop conducted by Debra Gano, author Penny Holguin, and editor Faye Quam Heimerl. The goal of the workshop was to fine-tune the stories and give writing tips to the students prior to submitting their final entries. “The enthusiasm for writing from these students is amazing…and their passion for the theme is so inspiring!” says Gano, author of the award-winning children’s book series, the Heartlight Girls. “You can’t believe some of the great topics!”

CONGRATULATIONS STORY & ART WINNERS!

Buffalo Trail Elementary School

STORY: Elizabeth Berrington

ART: Lindsay Stolting, Sarah Nicholas, Natalie Schauls, Matison Music, Bailey Mattice, Ashley Dale, Maddie Martinez, Bridget Mann, Elizabeth Berrington, Sonoma Olson, Olivia Pare

Canyon Creek Elementary School

STORY: Emily Eads

ART: Jessica Tan

Challenge School

STORY: Stephanie Bang, Calista Bowen, Tessakiree Garber, Jewell Humphrey

ART: Kathleen Sullivan, Kai Smith

Cimarron Elementary School

STORY: Duaa Qamar

Coyote Hills Elementary School

STORY: Makenzie Hendon, Jessica Kantra, Jaime Paterson

Dry Creek Elementary School

STORY: Avery Blackman, Edwin Bosch, Morgan Jenney, Hailey Natvig, Arianne Pusey, Kayla Rondinelli, Emily Webb, Madison Weber

ART: Hailey Natvig, Kira Kirkendell, Kayla Rondinelli

Heritage Elementary School

STORY & ART: Libby Geraghty

Indian Ridge Elementary School

STORY: Sophie Goodwin

ART: Cole Johnson

Peakview Elementary School

STORY: Jane Higa, Lizzie Hoelscher

Sagebrush Elementary School

STORY: Leah Gibson, Josiah Kim, Alyssa King, Samuel Roces

Sunrise Elementary School

STORY: Raeshonique Luarks

ART: Taylor Pinson

Village East Elementary School

STORY: Helen Lee, Tanzilla Purnota, Gavin Woldu

Please leave a comment below,

we would love to hear from you!

Making the World a Better Place Premieres!

debra — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 20:03:02 +0000

As the Director for the Young Authors League (YAL) and the President of the CIPA Education and Literacy Foundation (ELF), a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and inspiring school-age children to read and write, I’ve very excited to share our lastest project!

It is with great pleasure that I announce the publication of the Young Authors League book, Making the World a Better Place: Student Stories about Making a Difference!

From Fearless Foam-Fighters to an argument between a fork and a spoon, and from the Get Things Done Girls to the power of a smile, this is a delightful collection of inspiring short stories and artwork by the students themselves. Experience the insights, as well as the talents, of these amazing students, and find out for yourself how to make the world a better place…you may be inspired to do the same!

Purchase your copy now for $14.00. All proceeds from the sale of this book benefit the CIPA Education and Literacy Foundation to continue developing and implementing literacy programs for students which bring out their potential and build their excitement for reading and writing.

For a list of winners, participating schools, comments, and information on upcoming YAL events, please visit http://debragano.com/young-authors-league1/.

Join us on EARTH DAY, APRIL 22, from 4-8 pm as we launch Making the World a Better Place at Barnes & Noble in Southlands Mall, Aurora, Colorado! Click HERE for more information!

The Official Blog of Debra Gano: CEO of BYOU, Author of Heartlight Girls Book Series & Self-Esteem Expert » CIPA

Young Authors League

Making the World a Better Place Premieres!