Each year, student participants from our community share their writing, artistic, and literacy talents as part of the Young Authors Competition. Devin Hodgins, Crest Hill Librarian, and District Young Authors Coordinator, excitedly anticipates the Young Authors celebration each year, “Writing, illustrating, and putting together an entire book requires ingenuity, passion, and a whole lot of hard work. It encourages learners throughout our community to explore their interests and to share their ideas with creativity, imagination, and expressiveness. Every year, community members who help read and judge entries are astonished at the spectacular work of students at every level. The Young Authors program is honored to celebrate student success and the literary achievements of our community's young authors. Who knows? One of today's students might be a future bestseller!”
As part of NCSD’s Strategic Plan, we are committed to working together with parents and our community to support all students as they work to meet or exceed literacy expectations. "The Natrona County Young Authors Awards, sponsored by the Casper Literacy Council in partnership with the NCSD librarian professionals, provides an exceptional opportunity for students to celebrate their literacy talents!” shared Tanya Southerland, NCSD Director of Public Relations. “Congratulations to all student participants on this exceptional accomplishment and celebration of their amazing literary talents, and thank you for sharing your amazing work with us!"
Congratulations, students!
Click here for a video celebrating the students and their accomplishments!
Young Authors Awards
2021-2022
Natrona County School District
Sponsored by the Casper Literacy Council
Recognizing the outstanding achievements of
Authors ~ Schools ~ Teachers
Kindergarten
Fiction
Honorable Mention: Callahan Donley ~ Homeschool ~ Lauren Donley
First Place: Gracie Miller ~ Verda James ~ Liz Harris
Non-Fiction
Honorable Mention: Genesis Breeden ~ Paradise Valley Christian ~ Tami Clay
First Place: Nixon Emery ~ Verda James ~ Nicolle Higuera
1st Grade
Fiction
Honorable Mention: McKenzie Lynn Kawa ~ Paradise Valley Christian ~ Ms. Atwood
Honorable Mention: Avalynn Garton ~ Verda James ~ Valerie Honken
First Place: Isaac John Nelson ~ Homeschool ~ Codie Nelson
Non-Fiction
Honorable Mention: Chloe Lemons ~ Paradise Valley Christian ~ Jodie Atwood
Honorable Mention: Hadley Cassity ~ Verda James ~ Lydia Bell & Erika Martin
First Place: Isaac Golay ~ Summit ~ Kathleen Cherry
2nd Grade
Fiction
Honorable Mention: Emily Boomgarden ~ Manor Heights ~ Aaron Brooks
Honorable Mention: Lily Christensen ~ Verda James ~ Samantha James
First Place: Benjamin Lemons ~ Paradise Valley Christian ~ Jodie Atwood
Non-Fiction
Honorable Mention: Christopher Brownlee ~ Manor Heights ~ John Foy
Honorable Mention: Viviana Christensen ~ Park ~ Chris Beamer
First Place: Alivia Woodell ~ Paradise Valley Christian ~ Jodie Atwood
3rd Grade
Fiction
Honorable Mention: Baylee Alexander ~ Bar Nunn ~ Patty Arner
Honorable Mention: Declan Bolding ~ Bar Nunn ~ Patty Arner
First Place: Boone Donley ~ Homeschool ~ Lauren Donley
Non-Fiction
Honorable Mention: Viridiana Castaneda ~ Bar Nunn ~ Patty Arner
Honorable Mention: Brooke Trupp ~ Verda James ~ Carrie Pexton
First Place: Aria Grant ~ Park ~ Chris Beamer
4th Grade
Fiction
Honorable Mention: Sophie Colling ~ Summit ~ Meagan Dye
Honorable Mention: Lauren Thompson ~ Verda James ~ Ciera Christopherson
First Place: Mia Alvstad ~ Verda James ~ Ciera Christopherson
Non-Fiction
Honorable Mention: Eddie Koch ~ Summit ~ Meagan Dye
Honorable Mention: Madison Nelson ~ Manor Heights ~ Belinda Howery
First Place: Archan Hodgins ~ Crest Hill ~ Britney Holbrook
Poetry
Honorable Mention: Claire Witcher ~ Manor Heights ~ Belinda Howery
Honorable Mention: Kenzie Hugget ~ Verda James ~ Ciera Christopherson
First Place: Mirrary Hodgins ~ Crest Hill ~ Britney Holbrook
5th Grade
Fiction
Honorable Mention: Phineas Hansen ~ Manor Heights ~ Cynthia Brachtenbach
Honorable Mention: Amy Cassity ~ Verda James ~ Jill Vance
First Place: Jesse Lemons ~ Paradise Valley Christian ~ Angela Santistevan
Non-Fiction
Honorable Mention: Sergio Romo ~ Crest Hill ~ Alejandra Lattimer
First Place: Rylee Tromble ~ Manor Heights ~ Cynthia Brachtenbach
Poetry
Honorable Mention: London Marie Nelson ~ Homeschool ~ Codie Nelson
First Place: Caydence Tiltrum ~ Manor Heights ~ Cynthia Brachtenbach
6th Grade
Fiction
Honorable Mention: Calyn Crossley ~ Dean Morgan ~ Laura Deal
Honorable Mention: Eva Hegewald ~ Centennial ~ Mrs. Lamb
First Place: Mickaela Knoepfle ~ Casper Classical Academy ~ Caroline Mooren
Non-Fiction
Honorable Mention: Emersyn Rose Tucker ~ Dean Morgan ~ Laura Deal
First Place: Ally Owens ~ Casper Classical Academy ~ Caroline Mooren
Poetry
Honorable Mention: Isabella Bertz ~ Casper Classical Academy ~ Caroline Mooren
Honorable Mention: Calyn Crossley ~ Dean Morgan ~ Laura Deal
First Place: Karrington Clay ~ Paradise Valley Christian ~ Angela Santistevan
7th Grade
Fiction
Honorable Mention: Quincy Corbin-Bonander ~ Dean Morgan ~ Laura Deal
First Place: Rylee Bauers ~ Casper Classical Academy ~ Mrs. Mogen
Non-Fiction
Honorable Mention: Logan Brown ~ Dean Morgan ~ Laura Deal
First Place: Madison Brown ~ Casper Classical Academy ~ Mrs. Mogen
Poetry
Honorable Mention: Brianna Sawaya ~ Dean Morgan ~ Laura Deal
First Place: Logan Morgan ~ Casper Classical Academy ~ Mrs. Buhler
8th Grade
Fiction
Honorable Mention: Abigail Glennon ~ Casper Classical Academy ~ Lisa Taylor
Honorable Mention: Eleanor Whyde-Korfanta ~ Dean Morgan ~ Laura Deal
First Place: William Fautteney ~ Centennial ~ Alexis Lamb
Non-Fiction
Honorable Mention: Olivia Presfield ~ Paradise Valley Christian ~ Joni Greer
First Place: Eliana Smith ~ Dean Morgan ~ Laura Deal
Poetry
Honorable Mention: Kinley Porter ~ Centennial ~ Alexis Lamb
Honorable Mention: Elle Orszulak ~ Casper Classical Academy ~ Dr. Taylor
First Place: Lylah Clay ~ Paradise Valley Christian ~ Joni Greer
9th Grade
Non-Fiction
First Place: Jameson Munari ~ Natrona County High School ~ Mrs. O’Briant
Poetry
First Place: Madeline Elston ~ Natrona County High School ~ Gregory Aitkenhead
10th Grade
Fiction
First Place: Ella Litman ~ Natrona County High School ~ Carl Myers
Non-Fiction
Honorable Mention: Kaylee Hawes ~ Kelly Walsh High School ~ Laura Martinovich
First Place: Ashlyn Cooper ~ Natrona County High School ~ Carl Myers
Poetry
First Place: Hunter McDaniel ~ Natrona County High School ~ Carl Myers
11th Grade
Fiction
Honorable Mention: Calla Shosh ~ Natrona County High School ~ Jackie O’Briant
First Place: Elora L. Umbach ~ Homeschool ~ Therese Hurt
Non-Fiction
Honorable Mention: Calla Shosh ~ Natrona County High School ~ Jackie O’Briant
First Place: Olivia Hammell ~ Kelly Walsh High School ~ Becky Strand
Poetry
Honorable Mention: Zoë von Gunten ~ Kelly Walsh High School ~ Jamie Tipps
Honorable Mention: Elora L. Umbach ~ Homeschool ~ Therese Hurt
First Place: Robin Pebbles ~ Kelly Walsh High School ~ Jamie Tipps