The Richmond Writes! Poetry Contest, now in its 8th year, is proud to announce the winners of the 2018 awards. The contest was conceived of by the Richmond Arts & Culture Commission (RACC) as a way to celebrate National Poetry Month (April), and has engaged hundreds of students in the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) in the writing of poetry over the years.
Students from nineteen elementary, middle, and high schools in Richmond and West County submitted both haiku and short poems. This year’s theme was Change, and students wrote over four hundred poems on the topic.
First, second and third place winners received cash gift cards and certificates; Honorable Mentions received certificates; and all students who submitted poetry to the contest will received a copy of the 2018 Richmond Writes! Poetry Book containing all the poems.
The winners of the 2018 Richmond Writes! Poetry Contest are listed by judging teams:
Team: Silvia Ledezma & Nicole Valentino
Elementary School:
1st Place Poem: “Change” by Mayari Mendo; Washington Elementary
2nd Place Poem:” Fire and Rain” by Jayden Murcia; Montalvin Elementary
3rd Place Poem: “Funerales” by Angel David Alvarez; Washington Elementary
Honorable Mentions
Poem: “Alberto” by Jizelle Velasquez; Washington Elementary
Poem: “Old Yosemite” by Alexandria Duff; Washington Elementary
Middle School:
1st Place Poem: “Fire” by Citlali Mendo;
Korematsu Middle School
2nd Place Poem: “Changes Haiku” by Christopher Otten; Juan Crespi Middle School
[No 3rd place or Honorable Mentions due to number of poems submitted.]
High School:
1st Place: Untitled by Fine Lutu;
John F. Kennedy High School
2nd Place “Change” by Faith Reyes; School:
John F. Kennedy High School
3rd Place: Untitled by Dayshawn Turner;
John F. Kennedy HS High School
No Honorable Mentions
Team: Terri Hinte & Ada Recinos
Elementary School:
1st Place: “The Moon” by Iris Fisher;
Kensington Hilltop Elementary
2nd Place: "Running" by Michael Hassner;
Kensington Hilltop Elementary
3rd Place: "Untitled" by Lucy Anderson;
Kensington Hilltop Elementary
Honorable Mentions
"New" by Torian Bennett; Hanna Ranch Elementary
"An Egg" by Damian Piech, Kensington Hilltop Elementary
Team: David Duer & Tatiana Ortiz
Elementary School:
1st Place: “Seasons” by Kaylin Martinez;
Murphy Elementary
2nd Place: “Sitting Alone” by Alexandra Covey;
Mira Vista Elementary
3rd Place: Untitled by Natalia Giddings;
Murphy Elementary
Honorable Mentions
“Haiku Poem” by Vaughn Ortiz; Murphy Elementary
“Think of Others” by Sumayah Rowaid; Mira Vista Elementary
Team: Tobey Kaplan and Daniel Ari
Elementary School:
1st Place: “I AM” by Ana Julia Curcino; Olinda Elementary
2nd Place: “Change” by A’ Million Morgan;
Murphy Elementary
3rd Place: “Sunrise” by Anna Sophie Koprek;
Olinda Elementary
Honorable Mentions
“Monopoly” by Jawan Eldridge; Olinda Elementary
“Johnny Ruck Got a Duck” by Zander Serrano;
Murphy Elementary
Team: Rob Lipton & Steve Early
Elementary School:
1st Place: “My Goal” by Aileen Alvarado;
Peres Elementary
2nd Place: “My Haiku” by Ximena Santos;
Peres Elementary
3rd Place: “Hurtful” by Lucas Wilson:
Tara Hills Elementary
Honorable Mentions
“Ban”; Andrea Gonzalez; Tara Hills Elementary
“The Changes I Need” by Nivia Ventura;
Tara Hills Elementary
Middle School:
1st Place: “Beach BBQ” by Aaron Aldana;
Sylvester Greenwood Academy
2nd Place: “Close My Eyes” by Sergio Hernandez; S
ylvester Greenwood Academy
3rd Place: “Today I Start My Soccer Dream” by Luis Avelar; Greenwood Academy
Honorable Mentions
“Injured” by Milan Horta; Pinole Middle School
“Life” by Aaron Aldana; Sylvester Greenwood Academy
High School:
1st Place: Untitled by Dalia Horta;
Pinole Valley High School
[No 2nd, 3rd or Honorable Mentions due to number of poems submitted.]
Haiku Awards from the Haiku Poets of Northern CA selected by Susan Antolin:
1st Place: Untitled by Alissa McQueen; Peres Elementary
2nd Place: “Spring Yields” by Anna Sophia Koprek;
Olinda Elementary
3rd Place: “Mommy” by Lilly Hayley Contreras;
Mira Vista Elementary
Honorable Mentions
Untitled by Ana Curtis; Murphy Elementary
“Sunset” by Geneva Metz; Olinda Elementary
“Night to Day” by Kaden Ulrich; Olinda Elementary
“Spring!” by Naomi Avila Aguilar; Peres Elementary
“Change in Weather” by Vianey Henandez;
Mira Vista Elementary
“Butterflies” by Tula Zaragoza; Murphy Elementary
Arts & Culture Manager Awards:
1st Place: “My Brush” by Aubree Jimenez;
Bayview Elementary
2nd Place: “The Wave” by Cesar Viveros;
Bayview Elementary
3rd Place: “My Grandpa” by Melanie Tello;
Bayview Elementary
Honorable Mentions
“Don’t Be Mean” by Sage Evans; Bayview Elementary
“Mr. Troche” by Cedro Muna; Bayview Elementary
Congratulations to all of these winners as well as all participants! For more information about this contest or the organization, contact Michele Seville, Arts & Culture Manager, michele_seville@ci.richmond.ca.us (510) 620-6952.