Van Buren Local Schools

Van Buren Middle School is proud to announce that mini sagas written by sixth graders Clayton Bates and Ibragim Saidov have been selected in the Young Writers’ Stranger Sagas contest and chosen for publication in Stranger Sagas - Between Worlds, a national anthology celebrating outstanding young authors. Their work will appear in the edition scheduled for release on February 23, 2026. As part of this honor, the school will receive a complimentary copy of the book.

Later this school year, contest judges will select overall winners from among the published entries. Awards include the Young Writers’ Award of Excellence and a $1,000 prize for the school with the strongest set of submissions. In addition, five standout student authors will each receive a $50 Amazon e-gift voucher.

🏆Congratulations to Clayton and Ibragim for their creativity and representing VBMS!