The Kyrene School District Governing Board honored 27 of the district’s most talented young poets during a special recognition at their April 22 meeting. Students who attended were the grade-level winners of the annual District Poetry Contest. The contest highlights the creative voice of Kyrene students and reinforces the importance of literary expression in education.

Each spring, students across all Kyrene schools are invited to submit their poetry for consideration. Poems are first reviewed at the school level, with one winner selected per grade. These winning poems are then submitted anonymously to a district-wide panel for final judging. This year, three district winners were selected at each grade level, showcasing exceptional talent and originality from students in kindergarten through eighth grade. All District winners received a certificate of recognition. All poems can be read in this year’s digital anthology.

The timing of this recognition is especially meaningful as April is nationally observed as Poetry Month—a time when communities reflect on the power of words and celebrate the poets who inspire us.

Congratulations to the 2025 District Poetry Contest Winners:

Kindergarten

• Aiden Gill, Kyrene de las Manitas Innovation Academy
• Jack Jeska, Kyrene del Milenio
• Anbessa Lacey, C.I. Waggoner

1st Grade

• Trey Sueing, Kyrene de la Colina
• Austin Fertlemes, Kyrene de los Lagos Dual Language Academy
• Kolbe Dhaenens, C.I. Waggoner

2nd Grade

• Gemma Logan, Kyrene de los Cerritos Leadership Academy
•  Adam Quezada, Kyrene de las Lomas
• Lilliana Queior, Kyrene de la Mariposa Computer Science Academy

3rd Grade

• Hannah Almefty, Kyrene del Cielo
• Talyah Holmes, Kyrene de las Lomas
• Gianna Nicol, Kyrene del Norte Dual Language Academy

4th Grade

• Abigail Mendoza, Kyrene de los Cerritos Leadership Academy
• Kareem Teleb, Kyrene del Cielo
• Emagene Durot, Kyrene de la Colina

5th Grade

• Tiffany Nguyen, Kyrene de la Colina
• Claire Cadillo-Hammond, Kyrene de la Mirada Leadership Academy
• Delilah Holm, Kyrene de la Sierra

6th Grade

• Hope Skousen, Kyrene Akimel A-al Middle School
• Abigail Robles, Kyrene Middle School
• Arielle Bonner, Kyrene Traditional Academy

7th Grade

• Elise Klucsarits, Kyrene Akimel A-al Middle School
• Roshan Walia, Kyrene Altadeña Middle School
• Natalia Quintanilla-Pina, Kyrene del Pueblo Middle School

8th Grade

• Anna Cheng, Kyrene Altadeña Middle School
• Lily Zink, Kyrene Centennial Middle School
• Liana Ballard, Kyrene Middle School