The judges have made their final decisions. Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 PBS Kids Writers Contest! We received a lot of great stories this year!
Over the weekend, the winners and their families enjoyed an awards celebration at WHRO Public Media. The awards program will air on WHRO TV 15 on June 26.
Meet the winners below.
| 1st Place Kindergarten Vita Jewel Haney- Homeschool, Cape Charles |
| 2nd Place Kindergarten Maisie Machelle Kiln Creek Elementary, Newport News |
| 1st Place First Grade Kathryn Diefenderfer Larchmont Elementary, Norfolk |
| 2nd Place First Grade Taggart Sletten Larchmont Elementary, Norfolk |
| 1st Place Second Grade Ida Leffler Larchmont Elementary, Norfolk |
| 2nd Place Second Grade Stella Epstein Larchmont Elementary, Norfolk |
| 1st Place Third Grade Alex Kaloydis North Landing Elementary, Virginia Beach |
| 2nd Place Third Grade Gray Niles Homeschool, Norfolk |
| 1st Place Fourth Grade Sarah Hagerty Larchmont Elementary, Norfolk |
| 2nd Place (tie) Fourth Grade Emily Hatton Hillpoint Elementary, Suffolk |
| 2nd Place (tie) Fourth Grade Kevin Rische Magruder Elementary, York County Schools |
| 1st Place Fifth Grade Isabel Drake Magruder Elementary, York County Schools |
| 2nd Place Fifth Grade Meg Broughton Oak Tree Academy, Chesapeake |
| Environmental, Grade K-1 Lucas Newmyer, First Grade Norfolk Christian Beach Campus, Virginia Beach |
| Environmental, Grade 2-3 Siena BenYishay- Sapalio, Second Grade Homeschool, Williamsburg |
| Environmental, Grade 4-5 Sarah Young, Fourth Grade Hampton Roads Academy, Newport News |
Congratulations to all of the winners!
WHRO is proudly owned by the 21 school divisions in the southeastern Virginia region.
Learn more about the competitions and many educational resources that WHRO Public Media provides to educators and families.