As the school year ends, the Buckeye Book Fair proudly reflects on the 2025 Young Authors Conference, an unforgettable week of inspiration, imagination, and creativity for students in grades 3 through 8. With the generous support of the Ohio Arts Council, and in partnership with the Tri-County Educational Service Center and the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education, we welcomed hundreds of students and educators from across the state to celebrate the power of storytelling and the joy of creative expression.
Throughout the week, students attended engaging sessions led by a diverse group of teaching artists, including authors, illustrators, and graphic novelists. They learned firsthand how stories are shaped from initial ideas to final drafts. The energy in the rooms was electric—students competed in quick-draw challenges, created story maps, and asked thoughtful questions that revealed their own growing passion for the writing process.
Educators shared enthusiastic feedback:
“This event got our students excited about writing and the book-creating process.”
“Great ideas for teaching writing in the classroom; students got to see possible career paths using their writing and/or drawing skills.”
“My students loved seeing the connection between illustration and storytelling. They also appreciated seeing how their passion could become a profession.”
As one teacher noted, “Most of the feedback I gathered from students was positive—illustrating, developing characters, creating a story map. It definitely motivates our students in the area of writing.” Another shared, “It gives our teachers another way to reward good writing and student effort.”
A highlight of the year was the presentation of the Young Authors Excellence Awards, honoring original works by students from across the region. Congratulations to these exceptional young writers:
- Bailey Webb, 5th Grade, Shreve Elementary – The Amazing Thomas Edison
- Elizabeth Ungerer, 8th Grade, Triway Middle School – Trash Can
- Remi Garrison, 3rd Grade, Wooster Township – The Hunt Was On
- Ryne Gessel, 5th Grade, Waynedale Elementary – The Egyptian and The Genie
- Emmett Ramseyer, 4th Grade, Green Elementary – Fighting for Freedom
- Truet Steiner, 8th Grade, Green Middle School – Veterans Day
- Lydia Decker, 5th Grade, Rittman Elementary – Inventions of the Past
- Lucero Cisneros Zambrano, 7th Grade, Orrville Middle School
These students exemplify the creativity and dedication that the Young Authors Conference is all about. Their stories—and the support they received from teachers, families, and communities—are a reminder of how powerful writing can be when nurtured.
We are grateful to the Ohio Arts Council for making this program possible through its continued commitment to literacy and the arts. We also extend our deepest thanks to our partners at the Tri-County Educational Service Center and the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education for their tireless work in helping us broaden our reach and enrich the experience for every participant.
As we look ahead, we’re excited to expand access, increase school visits, and improve autograph opportunities to make next year’s event even more meaningful. Thank you to everyone who helped make this celebration of young authors a success. Together, we are building a brighter, more literate future—one story at a time.
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