NJN - New Jersey Public Television and Radio


DATE:	January 3, 2003

FOR RELEASE:	Immediate

CONTACT:	contact

NJN Announces the
Ninth Annual Reading Rainbow
Young Writers and Illustrators Contest

Statewide - Reading Rainbow and NJN Public Television and Radio present the Ninth Annual Young Writers and Illustrators Contest to encourage children in grades K-3 to stretch their imaginations and create original stories and illustrations. NJN will accept submissions for the regional contest from January through March 14, 2003. Entries are judged on originality, creative expression, storytelling and integration of copy and illustrations. Last year, NJN received more than 1700 entries. We invite your child to enter the contest and receive a Certificate of Achievement signed by LeVar Burton, the host of Reading Rainbow. NJN will forward winning K-3rd grade first-place entries for consideration in the national judging.

CONTEST DETAILS

ELIGIBILITY: Students in K-3.
ENTRY DEADLINE: March 14, 2003
ENTRY FORM: www.njn.net or Reading Rainbow at (609) 777-3991
PRIZES: K-3 first place entries qualify for national judging. National first place winners each receive a computer and printer; second place winners each receive a DVD player. National winners receive Reading Rainbow library sets for their schools and local libraries. Prizes also will be awarded to local winners.

Gail Vernick, New Jersey Public Broadcasting Authority Commissioner, has served as NJN's contest chair since 2001. Judges for past contests have included Dina Matos McGreevey, First Lady of New Jersey; Gabriella Morris, Esq., President, Prudential Foundation, and Chair, New Jersey Public Broadcasting Authority; Veronica Goldberg, NJN Foundation Trustee; Isabel Nazario, Executive Director, Rutgers Center for Intercultural Initiatives; Jamie Fair-Davis, Department of Education; and Nancy Puri, Principal, PJ Hill Elementary School, Trenton.

Funding for NJN Reading Rainbow Contest is provided by NJ FamilyCare. In-kind support is provided by Barnes and Noble, Princeton and Six Flags Great Adventure.

We hope you will join us in bringing the love of reading and the joy of self-expression to children in our community. Entry forms are required and are available on our web site at www.njn.net or by calling NJN's Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest

NJN Public Television & Radio provides access to award-winning programs and services that serve the
informational, cultural and educational needs of New Jersey resident. NJN is available in high definition and on
Time Warner cable in New York. NJN’s programs are web cast on www.njn.net.
NJN – Uniquely New Jersey

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