Photo submitted to the Times Observer From left are Briauna Dougherty, Thatcher McClellan, Autumn Waite, Aria Carlson, Emily Campbell, Leslie Swanson, Reagan McClellan and Emmi Mirtti. The Warren County students placed in the top three of their age groups in the recent WQLN PBS Kids Writers Contest.

Four Warren County School district students have been named winners of the WQLN PBS Kids Writers Contest.

The contest was open to students in kindergarten through fifth grades, with eight students from Beaty-Warren Middle School, Eisenhower Elementary School and Warren Area Elementary School placing in the top three for their age groups.

All the students who placed first, second or third, along with their families and teachers, were invited to an awards reception held recently at the WQLN PBS television station in Erie. According to Jennifer Allen, WQLN PBS education outreach and program coordinator, and Kathy Woodard, director of educational services, there were a record 225 entries received this year.

“It is also our fifth graders last year entering into this contest and some have been entering since kindergarten, so it was very bittersweet for our two fifth grade winners,” said Meggi Brown, Beaty-Warren Middle School gifted support/STEM instructor.

Area students who placed are:

Briauna Dougherty, fifth grade, Beaty-Warren Middle School, who finished in first place with her story “In the Deep Oak Forest.”

Aria Carlson, fourth grade at Warren Area Elementary Center, who finished in first place with her story “The Boy and the Queen of Spades.”

Thatcher McClellan, third grade at Warren Area Elementary, who finished in first place with her story “Earth Day Arena.”

Emmi Mirtti, kindergarten at Eisenhower Elementary School, who finished in first place with her story “Lilli Gets Lost.”

Autumn Waite, fourth grade at Eisenhower Elementary School, who finished in second place with her story “Touring Around the World.”

Reagan McClellan, fifth grade at Beaty-Warren Middle School, who was a third-place finisher with her story “Capybara Gymnastics.”

Emily Campbell, fourth grade at Warren Area Elementary Center, who placed third with her story “The Key.”

Leslie Swanson, second grade at Warren Area Elementary Center, who placed third with her story “The Pink Dolphin.”