Posts Tagged ‘literacy’
Young Authors League
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!
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!
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!

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 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!




