Campbell Celebrates a Decade of Rising Young Authors

There have been 133 young authors from Campbell that have gone through the Rising Young Authors Series in the last 10 years. In 2006, the Campbell Union School District added the online book publishing to the award.

Tonight, the next J.K Rowlings take the stage, talking about their published pieces and receive applause and praise from parents, teachers and members of the community.

Members of the first year of Rising Young Authors will be at the event Nov. 1 to reflect on what they remember and what it meant to have their books published.

“I remember being honored that my work was being recognized, and excited to get to present it at one of my favorite places to visit!" said former Rising Young Author Joe Cardello in a release.

Cardello graduated from USC and now works for Disneyland/California Adventure.

"In a way, it made me feel a little like I'd become a real author, which was at the time a life goal of mine," he said. I enjoyed reading my work, and I remember being impressed by the other recipients.” 

The district briefly plays the role of publisher and grooms young talent for prime time. It invites students in grades three to seven to submit fictional short stories and poems in its annual Writing Faire. It picks 11 winners, whose books, and poster, are published. 

The awards will be given out Thursday, Nov. 1, 7:00 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in the Pruneyard.

“I remember specifically winning the award," said former Rising Young Author Lauren Pagendarm in a release. Pagendarm graduated UC Santa Barbara and now attends nursing school in Arizona.

"I was very excited because though I had always done well in school, I really had never won anything before," she said. "I remember seeing people reading it and laughing. At such a young age, I think it really did mean a lot to me to be recognized for my work.”

Below is a list of the 2012 Rising Young Authors, their published pieces and links to where to purchase them online.

Blackford Elementary: Maritza Campos - My Solar System Trip

Capri Elementary: Benjamin Wolter-Bousquet -TT the Robot Saves the World

Castlemont Elementary: Amanda Silva - The Hollywood Blast

Forest Hill Elementary: Alexis Weisend - The Missing Treasure

Lynhaven Elementary: Serendipity Tinsley - Cheetah Girl

Marshall Lane Elementary: Callie Fitch - POSTER:  My Family Metaphor Poem

Monroe Middle School: Jennifer Bueno -Amara's Web

Rolling Hills Middle School: Megan Tobias - The Window in the Wall

Rosemary Elementary: Miguel Gonzales Aguirre - POSTER:  Hawk Warrior

Sherman Oaks School: Bryceida Valencia - La Pequeña Araña Problemática

Village School: Kassidy Tolbert - The Real Me

The event takes place tonight, Thursday, Nov. 1, 7:00 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in the Pruneyard.

Read all our past coverage of the Rising Young Authors Series.