Students with a special interest in writing debuted their work Tuesday at Southwestern Michigan College for the 27^th annual Young Writers Day through Lewis Cass Intermediate School District.

Children in second through sixth grades from Cassopolis, Dowagiac and Edwardsburg gathered to celebrate creativity in the Lyons Theatre on Southwestern Michigan College’s (SMC) campus, bringing books they had written and illustrated. Many students began writing their stories in January, editing and fine-tuning their books until they would be submitted. With special times carved out for book browsing and lunch, students, parents and teachers also listened to local illustrator Rod Snow, children’s book author Leslie Helakoski and storyteller Barbara Schutzgruber.

“It’s exciting to see such a strong interest in writing,” Brian Wood, director of instructional services for the district, said. “The fun part in several ways is to have books the children wrote translated into something tangible for people who work in this career field.”

Snow, who performed ventriloquism and did a live illustration for the students, said he was glad to show kids what they can do.

“Whether it is to draw or write, or both, I like to get the kids inspired,” Snow said.

Justus Gage Elementary school second-grader Mason Keller enjoyed Snow’s presentation.

“I liked seeing the stories other kids wrote, and he (Snow) told some funny jokes,” Keller said.

Jamie Smith, a third-grader at Sam Adams Elementary School, brought her story, “Whoopie Cushion.”

“It’s about my cousin who used a whoopee cushion at my fifth birthday party and ruined the cake,” Smith said. “Our teacher asked us to write a personal narrative.”

Kelly Martin-Sanchez and Dynisha Hackworth, both fift- graders at Sam Adams Elementary School, said they were excited to return. Martin-Sanchez was back for the third time while Hackworth was back for her second year.

“I like the fact that you can write a story and have people see your work,” Hackworth said.

Martin-Sanchez agreed.

“I’ve done it since I was in second grade,” she said. “I want to be a writer when I grow up.”