Grace Chen, a fifth-grade student at Lincoln Elementary in Whitewater, has written and illustrated an original book entitled Dawn of a Day which has won a second place award in the State Delta Kappa Gamma Nettesheim Literary Competition for 2026. According to Grace her book, which she both wrote and illustrated, “is the story of the peacefulness of the forest when the animals arise.” She completed her project while attending the Book Buddies program. From there, Grace’s book was submitted for judging at the local and then the state levels of Delta Kappa Gamma.

Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. Whitewater has a local chapter which supports this literary competition and other projects enhancing education in the community.

Editor’s note: This article was submitted by Barbara Penington.