Area elementary students who will participate in the Marquette-Alger Young Authors' Conference May 2-5 at Northern Michigan University read their books to NMU President Fritz Erickson and his wife, Jan. Over the past 39 years, the conference has grown to include 13 schools and about 3,000 children from pre-K through 5th grade. Literacy activities extend beyond the conference throughout the entire school year. The activities involve reading, researching, writing, illustrating, sharing and finally publishing a book as a culminating project. This year’s guest author is Jerry Pallotta. Pictured with Erickson are (from left): Olivia Erickson, 2nd grader at Superior Central; Maija Talvensaari, 3rd grader at Cherry Creek; Olivia Lunseth, 4th grader at Lakeview; Lauren Michaud, 1st grade at Aspen Ridge; and Ruby Myron, kindergartener at Graveraet.