STATE AWARD

Floyd County Schools’ Dr. Patricia Watson and the district’s Young Authors Program received a 2024 Action Award, presented by the Prichard Committee team and their President, Bridgette Blom. Action Awards are given to individuals and programs that are constantly working to improve education outcomes. This prestigious award was one of nine given at the 2024 Groundswell Summit in Owensboro, KY, June 11, 2024. More than fifty entries were considered. An audience of over 300 Prichard Committee members from across Kentucky were present during this awards event.

“It was the Young Authors’ Virtual Library that drew the attention of the Prichard Committee,” shared Dr. Watson.

Dr. Watson identified four, overall, purposes of the Young Authors’ Virtual Library. “First, our students have a showcase for their books that can be accessed easily by peers and their families. Second, our teachers have student writing examples to show their students and to use as teaching tools. Third, our community can access these books and read them any time. Fourth, these books can be stored for many years.”

The history of the program links the Floyd County School District’s Young Authors Program to 1985, when School-Community Partnership leaders, Freddie Goble, Dolores Smith, Jean Rosenberg, and Carol Stumbo, attended a meeting hosted by the Prichard Committee. From that meeting, steps were taken to bring Young Authors, a program of academic excellence, to Floyd County students. Thus, in 1986, the school board adopted the program as part of the language arts curriculum and the first celebration event was held in May 1987.

In 1986, the first books were hand-sewn with mat board backs, then advanced to spiral bound books, and now to digital books. Over time, categories and methods of producing the books have been updated to make them current with technology. Students can include the use of photos and drawings. In addition, special feature categories include local history with primary and secondary research.

The Floyd County Schools Young Authors Kindergarten—Grade 8 Program has completed 34 years of district celebrations. Dr. Patricia Watson has served as district lead for 22 years, and it was her leadership that advanced the Young Authors Program to integrate technology to create digital books, have the Young Authors Virtual Library, and have a district webpage.

In addition to the district coordinator, each school has a school coordinator who leads and contributes to the work of students writing books and being published. The 2024 Young Authors Program Coordinators include Mrs. Stephanie Marsillett, Adams Middle School; Mrs. Ciara Chaffin, Allen Elementary; Mrs. Sandy Akers and Mrs. Mary Dotson, Betsy Layne Elementary; Mrs. Hana Bentley, Duff-Allen Central Elementary; Mrs. Meaghan Blackburn, May Valley Elementary; Mrs. Alison Thornsberry, Prestonsburg Elementary; Mrs. Paige Vance and Mrs. Alisa Howell, South Floyd Elementary; Mrs. Kayla Howard, John M. Stumbo Elementary; Mr. Solomon Kilburn, Virtual Academy.