ROCHELLE — Several local elementary students were awarded for their achievements in writing earlier this week at the Young Authors’ Tea, held at Tilton School.

Karen McMahon, Tilton School reading teacher, explained the Young Authors program encourages students to create their own original story and at least two illustrations.

“The students are to write the books on their own at school,” McMahon said. “Teachers can only help with punctuation and spelling. This year we had bilingual books entered…something we have been trying to do for many years.”

McMahon also said the books can be fiction, non-fiction, or poetry.

Competition began in November, with the completed books due in February.

The entries were judged by group of teachers, with awards given to first place and runner up for each grade level. The winners were notified in March.

Each year, Tilton School hosts the tea where the students and their families are invited for refreshments. McMahon also extends the invitation to school board members, principals and teachers throughout the district, along with Superintendent Todd Prusator.

“The first place winners have a chance to go to the Young Author Conference at Illinois State University on May 20,” McMahon said. “That is a day where the students spend time with an author. The students are given a seal for their book, a signed copy of a book the author has written, and a t-shirt.”

Adding, “It is a fun-filled day for the students.”