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Young girls dance all the way to their new home. A school votes for a new mascot. A cat tries to befriend a cactus that can’t be hugged. And Ms. Sprinkles learns not to eat her friends. These were just a few of the creative characters and scenarios from the winning entries in KET’s 2025 Young Writers Contest.

The contest provides an opportunity for expressive writing and allows students to demonstrate their skill in language usage. Entries were judged on creativity, originality, grammar and organization.

We had a total of 1,011 entries from which 44 winners were chosen. That breaks down into:

• 123 illustrated stories
• 245 short stories
• 393 poems
• and 36 graphic novels!

It takes a village to judge a writing contest! KET was fortunate to have the help of 165 judges, which included 156 pre-service teachers from Western Kentucky University, Bellarmine University, Murray State University, the University of the Cumberlands, and Campbellsville University.

Entries came from all over the state, from students in all grades, enrolled in public and private schools and homeschools.

KET’s Young Writers Contest provides a meaningful way for educators to enhance literacy instruction while meeting state educational standards for composition.
“Participating in the contest allows students to engage in authentic writing experiences, encouraging them to consider purpose, audience, and form in meaningful ways,” said Donna Arnold, education outreach specialist at KET.

The entries are also judged on the nuts and bolts of language usage. “The contest helps students practice using correct grammar and vocabulary, allowing them to become stronger writers and communicators,” Arnold said.

The illustrated and graphic novel categories support Kentucky’s standards for visual and performing arts by encouraging students to blend art and writing, telling rich stories though both images and words.

Full versions of their winning entries are now available online!