2018 Richmond Writes!
Poetry Contest Winners Selected
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