Congratulations Lwza Almaflehi!!!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dec. 11, 2018

 

Five Students from Dearborn Public Schools and the Crestwood School District Awarded for Their Outstanding Writing at the 2018 Young Authors’ Festival

One student from McCollough Elementary School, two students from Hillcrest Elementary School, and two students from William Ford Elementary School received awards for their writing at the University of Michigan-Dearborn Mardigian Library’s sixth annual Young Authors’ Festival. The half-day event was held in the library on Saturday, Nov. 10. Approximately 80 young writers from grades 3 to 5, along with parents and teachers listened as the twelve award winners read aloud excerpts from their winning entries.

Receiving awards were:

•        3rd Grade, 1st Prize: Madeena Ameena El-Mubarak (McCollough Elem.) for “First a Dreamer, Then a Leader,”
•       3rd Grade, 2nd Prize: Hailey Cummings (Hillcrest Elem.) for “The Day of My Gang,”
•       3rd Grade, 3rd Prize: Leah Taylor (Hillcrest Elem.) for “I Had a Dream,”
•       4th Grade, Honorable Mention: Mustafa Sharif (William Ford Elem.) for “The Leader in Me,”
•        5th Grade, Honorable Mention: Lwza Almaflehi (William Ford Elem.) for “A Time I was a Leader.”

 

The 2018 Young Authors’ Writing Contest received approximately 150 entries from children in grades 3 to 5. This year’s theme was “Leadership.” Entries were judged by UM-Dearborn pre-service teachers.

This year’s honorarium, Mark Crilley, author and illustrator of Akiko on the Planet Smoo, shared writing and illustrating tips with the audience. Through his creative flair, he modeled how to give characters voice through written words and illustrated pictures. He also stressed the importance of writers developing their voice through revision.

UM-Dearborn pre-service teachers taught children through interactive sessions focused on writing and reading. Workshop topics included crafting poetry, writing imaginative stories, detailing family traditions, acting out stories, and creating books. Pre-service teachers also led parents through strategy sessions focused on supporting children’s literacy development at home. Session topics included playing literacy-focused games, using children’s book for reading and writing purposes, and telling family stories.

This event was sponsored by the College of Education, Health and Human Services; the Mardigian Library; the Salloum Family in honor of Abdallah & Leila Salloum; Jane Romatowski, Professor Emerita; the Hub for Teaching & Learning Resources; the Office of Metropolitan Impact; UM-Dearborn Athletics & Recreation; and the UM-Dearborn Barnes & Noble College Bookstore.