VALDOSTA – The annual Lowndes County Schools Writing Fair was recently held, and we are pleased to announce our winners. Entries will be displayed at the Colonial Mall of Valdosta April 18-24. 2016, and first place entries will be submitted to the Young Georgia Authors state competition with winners being announced this summer.

The purpose of the Young Georgia Authors writing competition is to encourage students to develop enthusiasm for and expertise in their writing, to provide a context to celebrate their writing successes, and to recognize student achievement in arts and academics.

First, second and third place Lowndes County Schools system-wide winners are as follows:

Grade K – 1^st Place: Kathryn Strickler of Westside Elementary School

2^nd Place: Cason Adams of Lake Park Elementary School

3^rd Place: Daniel Lira-Diaz of Clyattville Elementary School

Grade 1 – 1^st Place: Jett Terrell of Westside Elementary School

2^nd Place: Josslyn Snyder of Hahira Elementary School

3^rd Place: Charlotte Wisenbaker of Lake Park Elementary School

Grade 2 – 1^st Place: K. Jasmine Hoke of James L. Dewar Elementary School

2^nd Place: Freddie Finnissee of Clyattville Elementary School

3^rd Place: Madison Gibbs of Hahira Elementary School

Grade 3 – 1^st Place: Jacqueline Wang of Westside Elementary School

2^nd Place: Brady Bishop of Hahira Elementary School

3^rd Place: Sara Smith of Moulton Branch Elementary School

Grade 4 – 1^st Place: Isaac Chambers of Westside Elementary School

2^nd Place: Ella Jones of Hahira Elementary School

3^rd Place: Michelle McCoy of Pine Grove Elementary School

Grade 5 – 1^st Place: Lucas Watson of Clyattville Elementary School

2^nd Place: Daycee Panter of Hahira Elementary School

3^rd Place: Lilyanna Dean of Lake Park Elementary School

Grade 6 – 1^st Place: Sasha Barrera of Pine Grove Middle School

2^nd Place: Adair Carter of Hahira Middle School

3^rd Place: Blythe Lindsey of Lowndes Middle School

Grade 7 – 1^st Place: Alex Versailles of Pine Grove Middle School

2^nd Place: Alexis Dasher of Lowndes Middle School

3^rd Place: Taylor Barfield of Hahira Middle School

Grade 8 – 1^st Place: Alexis Herring of Lowndes Middle School

2^nd Place: Ian Marine of Pine Grove Middle School

3^rd Place: Cole Broomberg of Hahira Middle School

Grade  9 – 1^st Place: Xyanna Larkin of Lowndes High School

Grade 10 –  No Entry Submitted

Grade 11 – 1^st Place: Joely Peterman of Lowndes High School

Grade 12 – 1^st Place: Joshua Douglas Daugherty of Lowndes High School