WILMONT - Deyten Bosma, 6, of Wilmont, is a bit obsessed with the weather.
His mother, Nicole, says the fascination began at the age of 3. He has read many books on the subject, but his favorite topic is tornadoes. Recently, he was named as a local winner of the Pioneer Public TV PBS Kids Writers Contest for his entry “Tornadoes: The World’s Most Dangerous Storms.”
In the kindergarten division, Bosma’s essay placed first in the field of 10 entries from Pioneer’s viewing area, according to Pioneer Public Television Communications Director Patrick Moore.
Nicole says she learned about the contest through a commercial on the station. At first, Deyten wasn’t interested in writing a submission, but later he changed his mind.
In the kindergarten category, submissions must be a minimum of 50 words and a maximum of 200 words. Deyten’s story came in just under the maximum at 199 words. He also drew illustrations to go along with his essay.
“I wasn’t expecting to win. I wasn’t sure I’d actually won,” Deyten said.
“We didn’t get a phone call, an email or anything,” Nicole explained. “We just assumed somebody else had won. So we got this (certificate) in the mail and thought it was just his story coming back.”
After winning at the local level, Bosma’s story has been sent on to the national competition. Nicole says they will find out how Deyten’s story finishes sometime this summer.
The PBS Kids Writers Contest is open to children in kindergarten through third grade. The annual competition is a national initiative to promote the advancement of children’s literacy skills through hands-on active learning.
At the national contest, the local winning stories will be read by a panel of children’s authors, illustrators and content experts who will choose the top 12 finalists. Winners of the national contest will receive “Arthur” books and a personal technology device.
Deyten, who wants to be a meteorologist when he grows up, offers these tips to stay safe if a tornado comes your way.
“I would go into the basement. (Stay away from) glass. And, if I would not have a basement, and if I had a storm cellar, I would go into there. And if I didn’t have a basement or a storm cellar I’d go into a bathtub,” Deyten said.
