Lakeview Primary Celebrates Young Writers with Annual Author’s Tea

At the Baldwin County School District, student voice and creativity are always worth celebrating, and at Lakeview Primary, that celebration takes on a particularly special form each year. Through the Young Georgia Authors (YGA) competition and the school’s cherished Author’s Tea, students are recognized not just for their writing skills, but for the stories they bravely share with the world.

A Statewide Tradition, Rooted in Baldwin

The Young Georgia Authors competition is a statewide initiative that begins right in the classroom. As Lakeview Primary Media Specialist Brenda Brown explains,“It starts at the building level. School-wide winners move to the district competition. One district winner is chosen from each grade level. They move on to compete within the region through RESA. Any region winners move on to state competition.”

By January, each class submits its top three anonymous writing samples, ensuring that every piece is judged purely on its merit. From there, grade-level teams select first, second, and third place winners, who advance to the district level, joining peers across Baldwin County in a celebration of excellence in writing.

From Classroom to Celebration

“The Author’s Tea is actually one of my favorite things that I do each year,” Brown shares. “I love celebrating our students. I love watching them interact with their families and getting to meet the families. I love listening to their stories… It is always a special event!”

With more than three decades in education and over ten years coordinating Young Georgia Authors, Brenda Brown has helped shape a culture where writing is both valued and celebrated. “I plan to continue to do the Author’s Tea each year while I am here,” she says. “I think it works well as we do it now, but I am always open to suggestions for improvement.”

Celebrating the Power of Student Voice

From the first draft written in a classroom to the final piece shared with proud families, Lakeview Primary’s young authors are learning that their words matter and that their stories deserve to be told.

And in Baldwin County, that’s something worth celebrating.