UIndy Community Literacy Day

One Community, Many Stories

Indiana State Literacy Assocation logo

The UIndy School of Education in collaboration with the Indiana State Literacy Association is hosting a Community Literacy Day! Our goal is to bring together students, families, and community members to honor the creative voices of young authors and celebrate the transformative power of literacy. The event will include a broad range of literacy activities for students from kindergarten through 8th grade, including storytelling and read alouds, games and activities centered around literacy, and a ceremony to present Young Author Awards to local K-8 students.

  • What: Community Literacy Day
  • When: February 28, 2026 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
  • Where: Health Pavilion, University of Indianapolis (1643 E Hanna Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46227)
kids playing a letter activity with instructor

Authors

Check the schedule for appearances from these authors.

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John David Anderson

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Deb Asante

Deedee Cummings headshot

Deedee Cummings


Deedee Cummings is a professional dreamer, author, therapist, attorney, and mom from Louisville, Kentucky. She founded Make A Way Media to create diverse, hope-filled stories for children and adults, and is also the founder of The Louisville Book Festival. Her work—centered on healing, literacy, and the power of starting over—has been featured in Forbes, Essence, USA Today, and NPR. Deedee’s work reminds us that our dreams are within reach and it is never too late to start again.

Young Authors Contest

The Young Authors Contest celebrates the creativity, imagination, and writing talent of students who are eager to share their original stories with the world. This annual event provides young writers with the opportunity to explore their creativity, showcase their work, and be recognized for their achievements.

The contest encourages students to develop their writing skills, explore new ideas, and express their unique voices. By participating, students learn the full process of crafting a written piece—from brainstorming and drafting to revising and submitting a polished manuscript.

  • Eligibility: Open to students in grades K-8. Only one entry per person will be accepted. Only single-author stories qualify (no co-authored stories).
  • Genres Accepted: Short stories, personal narratives, poetry, or nonfiction. Illustrations welcomed but not required.
  • Originality: All submissions must be original, unpublished work created solely by the student author.
  • No purchase is necessary.

Participants are encouraged to begin with brainstorming and outlining their ideas. After completing a first draft, writers should revise for clarity, structure, and creativity. Peer or teacher feedback is highly recommended during the editing stage to strengthen the final piece.

All entries submitted to the contest will be judged using the judging criteria and percentages below:

  • Creativity and Originality (25%)
    • The story, poem, or piece presents fresh ideas, imaginative details, or a unique perspective.
    • The author demonstrates independent thinking and creativity in topic, theme, or approach.
    • The voice feels authentic to the writer’s age and experiences.
  • Organization and Structure (25%)
    • The story, poem, or piece presents fresh ideas, imaginative details, or a unique perspective.
    • The author demonstrates independent thinking and creativity in topic, theme, or approach.
    • The voice feels authentic to the writer’s age and experiences.
  • Content and Language (25%)
    • The writing uses vivid language, sensory details, and/or figurative expressions to engage readers.
    • Sentence variety and word choice reflect intentional craft.
    • The tone fits the subject matter and audience.
    • The piece includes well-developed characters, ideas, or imagery.
    • For nonfiction, information is accurate and clearly communicated.
    • The writer demonstrates thoughtfulness or reflection appropriate to their age.
  • Mechanics and Presentation (25%)
    • Grammar, punctuation, and spelling are mostly correct for the student’s grade level.
    • The writing shows evidence of revision and careful proofreading.
    • Errors, if present, do not significantly distract from the story or message.
    • The manuscript is neat, complete, and follows all submission guidelines.
    • Illustrations (if included) enhance the story or poem.
    • The overall effort reflects pride in the finished work.
  • Length: Open
  • Format: Open
  • File Type: PDF, Word document, or printed/hard copy
  • Cover Page: Include a cover page for each entry
  • Deadline: All entries must be submitted by Friday, January 23, 2026.

Completed entries should be submitted by the students’ K-8 teacher. K-8 teachers should contact Dr. Kate Reinhardt (reinhardtkm@uindy.edu) for instructions on how to submit their student’s work. Winners will be notified in February 2026 and honored at the UIndy Community Literacy Day on February 28, 2026.
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