In this inspiring education-focused segment of 2 Plus You Nevada, host Sarah Johns welcomes Nancy Maldonado from PBS Reno to celebrate the winners of the 2026 PBS Reno Writers Contest.

This year’s contest received an incredible 2,638 original story submissions from elementary school students across eight Northern Nevada counties. Young authors were invited to write and illustrate original stories inspired by the theme: “Special.”

The segment highlights how the contest encourages creativity, literacy, storytelling, and confidence while recognizing dozens of talented young writers from across the region.

🚨 Segment Highlights:

📚 PBS Reno Writers Contest Celebrates Young Authors

• Annual writing contest open to elementary school students across Northern Nevada

• 2,638 original stories submitted in 2026

• Students wrote and illustrated their own original books

✍️ 2026 Theme: “Special”

• Contest encouraged creativity and personal storytelling

• Students explored imagination, friendship, family, kindness, and adventure

• PBS Reno emphasized creative expression over strict theme requirements

🏆 Celebrating 12 Student Winners

• First, second, and third-place winners selected for each grade level

• Winners recognized during a special awards celebration event

• Students became officially published authors through PBS Reno

📖 Every Child Receives Encouragement & Recognition

• Every participant received a certificate celebrating their creativity

• PBS Reno focused on inspiring children to continue writing and storytelling

• Encouraging literacy and creative confidence in local schools

🎥 Winning Stories Featured on PBS Reno

• Winning students filmed reading portions of their stories in a professional studio

• Stories and student features broadcast across PBS Reno channels

• Winners’ books and artwork shared online and throughout the community

🏫 Northern Nevada Schools & Communities Represented

• Entries submitted from multiple counties and school districts

• Contest featured public schools, charter schools, homeschool students, and more

• Community-wide celebration of youth creativity and literacy

💙 Supporting Literacy & Creative Education

• Contest designed to help children explore storytelling and imagination

• Retired teachers and community judges helped review entries

• PBS Reno continues supporting literacy programs throughout Northern Nevada

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