Loewen winner of KPTS writers' contest
Staff writer
Elyria Christian School third grader Tena Loewen of Hillsboro has something to be proud of this week. Tena won second place in the KPTS Channel 8 Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators contest. Her seven-page story "No Pizza for Supper" is a humorous book written and illustrated by Tena about a farmer wanting pizza for supper, but deciding not to after being sneezed on by a pig.
Approximately 240 students, from kindergarten to third grade, from 44 towns across south central Kansas submitted illustrated stories in this year's writing contest.
On May 15, Tena, along with her parents, David and Joanne, and other family members attended the KPTS awards ceremony recognizing Tena and other young writers at the Orpheum Theatre.
"It was fun and exciting," Tena and her mother, Joanne said.
"I received a lot of stuff," Tena said.
That "stuff" or "bag of goodies" included a certificate for her book and items that Tena can use to help with her future writing endeavors, free passes to the Sedgwick County Zoo, and the Wichita Wranglers baseball game.
Students from Mayberry Middle Magnet School in Wichita performed each writer's story that appeared in a bound copy of Kreative Kids — KPTS Young Writers and Illustrators.
This is Tena's third time entering the contest. Last year, she received third place for her story, "Sam Makes It Right."
According to Joanne, KPTS officials used Tena in a promotional presentation to sponsors in soliciting support for the program. They also used Tena's work this year in workshops to show other students how to write a story.
"I think that is an honor," Joanne said.
Tena said she will continue to write and enjoys writing humorous stories.
