Collinsville CUSD 10 celebrates young authors at annual event

Collinsville Community Unit School District 10 Principal Dr. Mark Skertich (2023) | Collinsville Community Unit School District 10

By Lake County Gazette

Mar 27, 2025

Collinsville CUSD 10 celebrated the district's 2024-25 Young Authors winners during the annual Young Authors Tea held in the commons area at Collinsville Middle School.

Despite the event's name, tea was not on the afternoon menu. The Young Authors and their families enjoyed a more kid-friendly menu of punch and lemonade, an assortment of cookies, and pretzel sticks dipped in white chocolate and sprinkles.

All students from kindergarten through eighth grade were invited to participate in this year's Young Authors program by writing and illustrating an original story and submitting it to their teacher. Entries from throughout the district were collected and read by a panel of educators who chose district and county winners. The county winners will represent CUSD 10 at the annual Young Authors Conference hosted by the Regional Office of Education.

Carrie McIlroy, local author of a children's book titled "Mac and Bravo," spoke to the group and shared her journey to write and self-publish a book. She encouraged the young authors in the audience to keep writing and sharing their stories. Following her presentation, Mrs. McIlroy spent time talking to students individually, reading their books, and sharing hers with them.

Information about the 2025-26 Young Authors competition will be available at the end of the first semester. Students are encouraged to start thinking about and creating their stories early so they can experience and enjoy the process of writing. Several of this year's winners are already working on next year's entry.

2024-25 Young Authors District Winners:

CMS

Christanie Linnett-McDowell

DIS

Clark Robbins

Olivia Munro

Marlo Underwood

Summit

Isla Stelmach

Noelle Townsend

Maryville

Chesney Cameron