Collinsville CUSD 10 celebrated our district's 2024-25 Young Authors winners during the annual Young Authors Tea held in the commons area at Collinsville Middle School.

Despite the event's name, tea was not on the afternoon menu.  Our Young Authors and their families enjoyed a more kid-friendly menu of punch and lemonade, an assortment of cookies, and pretzel sticks dipped in white-chocolate and sprinkles.  

All students in kindergarten through eighth grade were invited to participate in this year's Young Authors program by writing and illustrating an original story and submitting it to their teacher.  Entries from throughout the district were collected and read by a panel of our educators who chose district and county winners.  The county winners will represent CUSD 10 at the annual Young Authors Conference hosted by the Regional Office of Education.

Carrie McIlroy, local author of a children's book, "Mac and Bravo," spoke to the group and shared her journey to write and self-publish a book.  She encouraged the young authors in the audience to keep writing and sharing their stories.  Following her presentation, Mrs. McIlroy spent time talking to students individually, reading their books and sharing hers with them.  

Information about the 2025-26 Young Authors competition will be available at the end of the first semester.  Students are encouraged to start thinking about and creating their stories early so they can experience and enjoy the process of writing.  Several of this year's winners are already working on next year's entry!