Creative Action students win writing awards
On February 8, 2013, Creative Action partnered with the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators for the inaugural Betty X. Davis Award for Young Writers of Merit. We honored three young writers with this award, named for 95-year-old Betty X. Davis, one of the founders of the Austin SCBWI chapter. The young winners read their work, impressing and inspiring the adult SCBWI members.
The winners were:
- Krisha “Brittina Gautam, 3rd grader from Del Valle Elementary
- Crystal Gong, 6th grader from Lamar Elementary
- and the Grand Prize winner: Anastaza Pack, 18 from the Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired
- Betty X Davis (far r.) stands with the young winners of the award named after her (from left: Crystal Gong, Anastaza Pack and Krishna “Brittina” Gautam) and the director of Creative Action (far l.). Photo by Bethany Hegedus.
As part of the award, Anastaza was given a $500.00 scholarship, payable upon her acceptance to school or program of her choice.
“When Anastaza read her work, you could see how amazed the audience was of her,” says Karen LaShelle, executive director of Creative Action. “She’s a strong young woman, and we’re proud to be a part of her journey.
“We’re proud of all of our students’ work,” she adds. “They make these really beautiful things every day, and I love that it is being recognized by creative professionals in the community.”
Click here to learn more about how our teaching artists help kids express themselves creatively.