Young Writer’s contest 2004

The winners of the 24th annual Santa Paula Elementary School District’s Young Writers’ Contest received their awards at a special awards ceremony the evening of May 25 at the Isbell School Cafeteria. The creative writing contest, sponsored by Pat Alderson and coordinated by Brenda deJamaer, Library Education Specialist, yielded 79 winners, from grades 1 through 8. Prizes are awarded in both poetry and story at each grade level. Among the manuscripts written by the students are mysteries, fantasies, tall tales and adventures. The students write about friends, family, pets, feelings, sports, aliens, and school. “It’s exciting to see the creativity and talent of our students and I appreciate the dedication of the judges,” says Mrs. deJamaer. The 13 judges, who gave their time and expertise to the task this year were Marsha Porter and Julia Copeland, from the school district; Rosann Mears, Connie Bennett, Tim Rainville, Gloria Clemence, Chris Buchanan, Kaye Beck and Hilda Hines, who are school district retirees; Dan Robles and Millie Sorenson from Blanchard Community Library; Celia Ward, from Santa Paula High School Library and Teri Rhodehamel, a published poet, from the 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 awards ceremony. The prizes were provided by Pat Alderson with a donation this year from the Santa Paula Elementary Chapter of Classified School Employees.Grade 1 Poetry1st – Brandie Segovia, “Get All the Pets Out”2nd – Laura Solis, “My Cat, Whiskers” 3rd – Armando Lugo, “Books are Cool” Honorable Mention – Alyia Alamillo, “The Cats Everywhere” Grade 1 Story1st – Mercedes Sandoval, “My Cat, Dusty” 2nd – Savanna Larson, “Savanna, The Amazing Jump-Roper” 3rd – Julio Zavala, “It’s Fun to Play” Honorable Mention – Vanessa Mendoza, “My Chicken, Chickaree” Grade 2 Poetry1st – Sierra DeAnda, “Insects” 2nd – Kefa Abbott, “Cats & Bats” 3rd -- TIE – Emily Endicott, “Cool Sharks” – Joseph Sandoval, “The Amazing Firefighters”-- Michael Munro, “I’m a Little Dog” Honorable Mention – Alexandra Conrad, “The Sea Horse”-- Cristina Guerrero, “My Big Sister, Maria” Grade 2 Story1st – Zoe Appleby, “Lively Lola, Whinny of the West…” 2nd – Alexandra Conrad, “Gloria the Brave” 3rd – Elizabeth Fernandez, “The Big Race” -- Ariana Flores, “No Fighting” Grade 3 Poetry1st – Samantha Horner, “Heaven” 2nd – Chuy Godinez, “Cheer” 3rd – Jackie Luna, “Sad” Honorable Mention – Nicholas Shoemate, “Monkeys” Grade 3 Story1st – Sarah Jordan, “The Bird That Lost its Voice” 2nd – Diana Xicotencatl, “The Wings” 3rd – Ramon Gutierrez, “Indian Fly” Honorable Mention – Tavia Franco, “Camping at Pismo Beach”-- Brian Gialketsis, “Princess Power” Grade 4 Poetry1st – Trena Jones, “Friends” 2nd – Lilli McKinney, “My Best Friend” 3rd – Jazmin Amaro, “A Rainy Day” Honorable Mention – Steven Kohr, “Father” -- Antonio Cisneros, “A Boy Named Little Ket” Grade 4 Story1st – Joshua Stockton, “The Haunted Desk” 2nd – Y’leesa DeLaTorre, “The Beautiful Butterfly” 3rd – Taylor Falls, “More Than One Friend” Honorable Mention – Milo Solis, “The School’s (Blanchard’s) Old Times”-- Brianna Herrera, “The Green Lady”