Bound for Success: Rising Young Author
By Jennifer, Village School Parent
Now in it’s 15th year, the Campbell Union School District (CUSD) Rising Young Author awards recognize a talented group of twelve young students whose short stories, essays, research papers and poems demonstrate excellent writing and go beyond the expected. Entries were chosen from hundreds entered in the District’s Annual Writing Faire, and judges chose one author per school from grades 3 through 7.
Superintendent Dr. Shelly Viramontez explains the Rising Young Author program “is a signature event for CUSD because it profiles the relevant and real world learning experiences our students are engaged in as part of their learning process. Students have the opportunity to be honored for their hard work, perseverance and talent. Writing and communication are lifelong skills.”
Last year, Taylor, a fourth-grader at Village School, penned “My Name Is Cumulus,” exploring facts about clouds. Taylor’s story follows the character Cumulus from birth throughout his lifetime and you even get to meet his family!
The awards ceremony and book signing took place at Barnes & Noble on Steven’s Creek and it was standing room only, full of family and friends. In Oscar-like fashion, Dr. Viramontez introduced each author and presented the awards with a video highlighting their story.
Taylor shared her story with the audience about how she came up with the idea to write a story about clouds from science class. She also signed copies for fans. Taylor said it was exciting to have her work published.
An interview with Taylor:
What is your story about?
It is called My Name Is Cumulus. My story is about a cloud that tells the reader facts about clouds in personification.
WWhat types of stories do you like to write and why?
I like to write all different kinds of stories, but my favorite is to write fiction stories because I like making it up as I go along.
What are you working on now?
In class we are writing personal narratives.
How do you handle “writer’s block”? What advice would you give to someone who struggles with writing?
I would usually go talk to my friends, and I recommend if you’re struggling with writer’s block you should to go talk to your friends too.
Tell me about when you learned about receiving the Rising Young Author award.
I wasn’t really sure what was going on, like I didn’t even know what the program was, but when I figured out what the program was, I was really excited.
Village School teacher Aisling commented, “I’m really proud of Taylor. I try to encourage my students to write about what they know. That’s where they’re going to find their best stories. It helps them to discover what they’re really passionate about and then they can go deeper.”
Congratulations on your inspiring work, Taylor! You’re a rockstar!