Young Writers’ Contest 2012
June 08, 2012
Santa Paula News
By Brenda deJamaer
Congratulations to the 76 winners of the 32nd annual Santa Paula Elementary School District Young Writers’ Contest. There were over 770 entries this year in the categories of short stories and poems from students in grades 1-8. Brenda deJamaer, coordinator of the contest, presented the awards Wednesday, May 23 at Isbell Cafeteria.
This year’s contest and awards ceremony was dedicated to the memory of Pat Alderson, who passed away on December 13, 2011 after a brief illness. She began this contest 32 years ago with the hope of inspiring creative writers in the youth of Santa Paula. Pat’s children, Craig Alderson and Susannah Harte, have established a Young Writers’ Contest memorial fund, which has received tremendous support and contributions from the community, enough to augment the awards this year and build a foundation for this contest, Pat’s legacy, to continue.
Mrs. deJamaer stated that, thanks to the generous contributions to the Young Writers Contest memorial fund and the untiring labor of retired educator Norah Byrom, “we were able to compile all the winning stories and poems into booklets,” which will be cataloged into each of the SPESD school libraries’ collections. Craig Alderson will also place a copy in the children’s literature collection at UC Berkeley.
Attending the awards ceremony were members of Pat’s family: husband Jim Alderson, daughter Susannah Harte, and sister Jean Eggenschwiler. In appreciation and recognition of Pat’s many contributions, they were presented with a copy of this year’s first Young Writers’ Contest winners anthology.
A big “THANK YOU” went out to the 16 volunteers who gave their time and expertise to the difficult task of judging for this contest. The judges were Patti Jones, SPESD staff; Maria Aguirre, Connie Bennett, Norah Byrom, Phyllis Dorsey, Jackie Kwasny, Mary Schaeffer, Linda Spink, Kathleen Thrift, Lydia Valencia, all SPESD retirees; Ilene Gavenman, Olivia Escoto, and Dan Robles from the Blanchard Community Library; Suzi Skutley from the Santa Paula Times; and Pam Strange and Teri Rhodehamel, published authors from the community.
Mrs. deJamaer stated that she was thrilled with the quality of writing and creativity of the many student entries. She enjoyed reading all the poetry and short story entries that covered many genres. “We have many talented young writers in our community.”
Refreshments of cake and punch were provided and served by the Santa Paula Federation of Teachers for the winners and their families at the conclusion of the awards ceremony. The 1st through 3rd place cash prizes were provided by Mr. Jerry Burns, with contributions from the Santa Paula Elementary Chapter of CSEA and the Young Writers’ Contest memorial fund.
The 2012 Young Writers’ Contest winners:
GRADE 1 POETRY
No entries that met minimum requirements
GRADE 1 STORY
1st – Juliauna Rodriquez, “A Fairytale”
2nd – Joseline Ramirez, “Scary Castle”
3rd – Rosa Meza, “Forest”
Hon. Men. – Sophia Lopez, “Lobster and Fish”; Diego Dominguez, “A Monkey Went to School”
GRADE 2 POETRY
1st – Ceceleea Vega, “Zebra Poem”
2nd – Shayla Gutierrez, “Missing Molly”
3rd - (TIE) Jordan Urrutia, “Shark”; Alina Garcia, “Green”
Hon. Men. - Aryan Prajapati, “Fall is...”; Pedro Vargas, “Summer is...”
GRADE 2 STORY
1st – Samantha Alvidres, “Mrs. Cat Loved a Hat”
2nd – Yara Saman, “The Picnic”
3rd – Jacob Martinez, “My Brother Who Always Bugs Me”
Hon. Men. – Alexis Torres, “The Surprise”; Austin Servin, “My Brother Tony”; Miguel Mariscal, “The Scary Night I Played Soccer at the Park”
GRADE 3 POETRY
1st – Marcelo Miller, “The World”
2nd – Jasmine Venegas, “My Momma’s Brownies”
3rd – Ace Rounds, “The Sun”
Hon. Men. – Lucy Gonzalez, “Fish”
GRADE 3 STORY
1st – Fatima Saucedo, “Smart Contest”
2nd – (TIE) Agustin Melgar, “Charlie & the One-hundred Dollar Bills”; Andria Osuna Casas, “Bullies”
3rd – Asia Glover, “Family is Forever”
Hon Men. – Selinna Hernandez, “Saving Christmas”; Hayden Galvan, “Anna’s Missing Homework”
GRADE 4 POETRY
1st – Xavier Garcia, “Marbles”
2nd – Wilibaldo Hinojosa, “The Magic of Books”
3rd – Samantha Tizcareno, “Moms”
Hon. Men. - Abigayle Palmer, “My Dog”; Marlene Dionicio, “Summer”
GRADE 4 STORY
1st – Gabriela Gomez, “Bookerella”
2nd – Ofelia Qualls, “God Saved My Life”
3rd – Julia Fernandez, “White Bear and the Canoe”
Hon. Men. - Anna Ramirez, “Finding the Right School”; Aubree Alaniz, “Santa Goes Missing”; Sandra Gomez, “The Chopped Tree”
GRADE 5 POETRY
1st – Daniel Montalvo, “I Didn’t Do My Homework”
2nd – Daisy Magana, “Fishes in My Room”
3rd – Nayeli Lope, “Poema”
Hon. Men. – Maria Gutierrez, “What Pet Should I Get”; Andrea Villa, “My Sister”; Keily Valdez, “A Beautiful Friendship”
GRADE 5 STORY
1st – Maria Romo, “The Champions”
2nd – Lindsay Newman, “The Unicorn That Wanted Wings”
3rd – Luis Guevara, “The Student of the Year”
Hon. Men. – Carlos Perez, “The Owl”; Kimberly Gaytan, “Turkey Trot Trouble”; Andrea Villa; “The Shed”
GRADE 6 POETRY
1st – Jose Gallegos, “Books”
2nd – Elsa Valenzuela, “Dream”
3rd – (TIE) Jessica V. Rodriguez, “The Very Heavy Hat”; Joseph Ramirez, “Dream Big, Dream Loud”
GRADE 6 STORY
1st – Brittaney Van Buren, “October”
2nd – Cynthia M. Cruz, “A Day With My Grandpa”
3rd – Destinee Hernandez, “Marissa’s Battle”
Hon. Men. – Edgar Martinez, “My Trip to Mexico”; Jessica V. Rodriguez, “The Fun Book”; Maria Prado, “The World of Tiny People”
GRADE 7 POETRY
1st – Maria Elena Terrazas, “Cluelessness”
2nd – Maribel Saucedo, “Horses”
3rd – Casandra Mendoza, “I Want”
Hon. Men. – Yaritza Magana, “Memories Die, but not Forever”; Mireille Vargas, “After Summer”
GRADE 7 STORY
1st – Laura Fernandez, “The Storm”
2nd – Maria Elena Terrazas, “Sour or Sweet”
3rd – Natasha Martinez, “Magic”
GRADE 8 POETRY
1st – Daniela Quiroz, “Poem....”
2nd – Emilee Inez, “The Reflection in the Mirror”
3rd – Mia Bustillos, “The Many Faces”
Hon. Men. – Geovanna Carrasco, “What I’ve Become”
GRADE 8 STORY
1st – Emily Korth, “The Monsters”
2nd – Crisabel Lazaro, “Smart One”
3rd – Nikkole Reyes, “Death’s Daughter”
Hon. Men. – Angel Garza, “Santa Claus’s Summer Adventure”
