What Students Say About VYP – Essay Contest

In 40th Anniversary Year, Six Valued Youth Students Win Reflection Contest Awards

IDRA Valued Youth Partnership Tutors Describe How the Program Expanded Their Future

2025 vyp essay cover sm See announcement

See the booklet with all the winning reflections from 2025 (pdf).

The winners are…

First Place High School – Angel Castillo, 10th Grade, Odessa High School, Ector County ISD
Second Place High School – Génesis Soto, 12th Grade, Odessa High School, Ector County ISD
Third Place High School – Michelle Villegas, 12th Grade, Odessa High School, Ector County ISD

Fourth-grade VYP tutors also submitted entries.

First Place Elementary School – Cataleya, 4th Grade, Franz Leadership Academy, Judson ISD
Second Place Elementary School – Bailey Blowers, 4th Grade, Franz Leadership Academy, Judson ISD
Third Place Elementary School – Adiana Franco, 4th Grade, Franz Leadership Academy, Judson ISD

Students Win 2024 Reflection Contest Awards

IDRA Valued Youth Partnership Program Tutors Share Stories of the Program’s Impact on Their Lives

2023-24 VYP contest cover blue See announcement

See the booklet with all the winning reflections from 2024 (pdf).

See highlights poster (PDF • Image)

The winners are…

First Place High School Winner – Monserrat García, 9th Grade, Odessa High School, Ector County ISD (essay in Spanish)
High School Second Place High School Winner – Roslynne Ortíz, 11th Grade, Odessa High School, Ector County ISD (artwork)
High School Third Place High School Winner (tie) – Michelle Villegas, 10th grade, Odessa High School, Ector County ISD (poem)
High School Third Place High School Winner (tie) – Alondra Holguín, 11th grade, Odessa High School, Ector County ISD (essay)
Middle School First Place Middle School Winner – Serena L. Sánchez, 8th Grade, Alan B. Shepard Middle School, South San Antonio ISD (poem)
Middle School Second Place Middle School Winner – Nathan Gómez, 8th Grade, Dwight Middle School, South San Antonio ISD (essay)
Third Place Middle School Winner – Shannell García, 8th Grade, Dwight Middle School, South San Antonio ISD (essay)

IDRA-VYP-Highlights-2024-Poster Honorable mentions are…

Ariel Morones, 8th Grade, Alan B. Shepard Middle School, South San Antonio ISD (essay)
Liliana Presas, 8th Grade, Robert C. Zamora Middle School, South San Antonio ISD (essay)

IDRA also invited fourth-grade students in a pilot program at Franz Leadership Academy in Judson ISD, San Antonio, to submit entries as posters.

First Place Elementary School Winner – Vivianna Caballero
Second Place Elementary School Winner – Jordyn Morris
Third Place Elementary School Winner – Nadia Barrientez

IDRA Valued Youth Partnership Tutors Share Stories of the Program’s Impact on Their Lives

Teens Win 2023 National Essay Contest Awards

See announcement

See color highlights flier for 2023 (pdf).

See the booklet with all the winning essays from 2023 (pdf).

The winners are…

High School First Place Winner – Mariah Rodríguez, 11th Grade, Odessa High School, Texas
High School Second Place Winner – Carly Oliver, 10th Grade, Odessa High School, Texas
High School Thirst Place Winner – Alina Lozano, 10th Grade, Odessa High School, Texas
Middle School First Place Winner – Michelle Ramos, 8th Grade, Abraham Kazan Middle School, San Antonio
Middle School Second Place Winner – Daynah Ramos, 8th Grade, Alan B. Shepard Middle School, San Antonio
Middle School Third Place Winner – Brianna Garza, 8th Grade, Alan B. Shepard Middle School, San Antonio

Honorable mentions are…

Brianna Rodriguez 12th grade, Odessa High School, Texas
Hailey Al-kayali, 8th Grade Kazan Middle School, San Antonio

Six Young Tutors Win 2022 National Valued Youth Partnership Essay Contest Awards

See announcement

See color highlights flier for 2022 (pdf).

See the booklet with all the winning essays from 2022 (pdf).

The winners are…

High School First Place Winner – Lizbeth Rodríguez, 12th Grade, Odessa High School, Odessa, Texas
High School Second Place Winner – Jade Hernandez, 11th Grade, Odessa High School, Odessa, Texas
High School Thirst Place Winner – Roslynne Ortiz, 9th Grade, Odessa High School, Odessa, Texas
Middle School First Place Winner – Selena Tavera, 8th Grade, Dwight Middle School, South San Antonio ISD, Texas
Middle School Second Place Winner – Elizabeth Sauceda, 8th Grade, Dwight Middle School, South San Antonio ISD, Texas
Middle School Third Place Winner – Matthew Hernandez, 8th Grade, Dwight Middle School, South San Antonio ISD, Texas

Teens Win 2019 National Essay Contest Awards

See the booklet with all the winning essays from 2019 (pdf).

See color highlights flier for 2019 (pdf).

The winners are…

High School First Place Winner – Anahi Ortiz, 12th Grade, Odessa High School, Ector County ISD
High School Second Place Winner – Juan García, 10th Grade, South San Antonio High School, South San Antonio ISD
High School Third Place Winner – Emaje’ Williams, 11th Grade, Odessa High School, Ector County ISD

Middle School First Place Winner – Vince Alindogan, 7th Grade, New Open World Academy, Los Angeles USD
Middle School Second Place Winner – Fatima Valseca, 7th Grade, New Open World Academy, Los Angeles USD
Middle School Third Place Winner – Miranda Torres, 8th Grade, Dwight Middle School, South San Antonio ISD

High School Honorable Mentions

Ariana Suchil, 12th Grade, Odessa High School, Ector County ISD
Deyonna Hernández, 9th Grade, South San Antonio High School, South San Antonio ISD

Middle School Honorable Mentions

Frank Cerda, 8th Grade, Zamora Middle School, South San Antonio ISD
Sarah Peterson, 7th Grade, Carstens Academy of Aquatic Science at Remus, Detroit Public Schools Community District
Hameem Ahmed, 8th Grade, New Open World Academy, Los Angeles USD
Paula Olivo, 8th Grade, Dwight Middle School, South San Antonio ISD

Academy School Winner – Charles C Ball Academy, San Antonio ISD, Texas

First Place – Amber Ortiz, 8th Grade
Second Place – Selena Luna, 7th Grade
Third Place – Mynervalee Castillo, 8th Grade
Honorable Mention – Lizeth Acosta, 8th Grade

Elementary School Winners – PS94 Kings College School, New York City

First Place – Sariyah Mitchell, 5th Grade
Second Place – Shareef Bell, 5th Grade
Third Place – Aniyah Curry, 5th Grade
Fourth Place – Tyler Gardner, 5th Grade
Fifth Place – Winner Martínez, 5th Grade
Honorable Mention – Jayalah Jones, 5th Grade

Six Young Tutors Win 2018 National Essay Contest Awards

The winners are…

First Place High School Winner – Santiago Sosa, 11th Grade, Odessa High School, Ector County ISD, Texas
Second Place High School Winner – Daniela Urquidi, 12th Grade, Odessa High School, Ector County ISD, Texas
Third Place High School Winner – Melanie Esparza, 9th Grade, South San Antonio High School, South San Antonio ISD, Texas
First Place Middle School Winner – Marely García, 7th Grade, Trevino Middle School, La Joya ISD, Texas
Second Place Middle School Winner – Isaias Zavala, 7th Grade, Memorial Middle School, La Joya ISD, Texas
Third Place Middle School Winner – Sipriano Badillo, 7th Grade, Memorial Middle School, La Joya ISD, Texas

High School Honorable Mention

Andrea Perea, 11th Grade, Odessa High School, Ector County ISD, Texas

Middle School Honorable Mentions

Jazara Quintero, 7th Grade, Memorial Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Mía Villaseñor, 7th Grade, Domingo Treviño Middle School, La Joya, Texas

Academy School Winner – Charles C Ball Academy, San Antonio ISD, Texas

First Place – Amber Ortiz, 7th Grade

Elementary School Winners – PS94 Kings College School, New York City

First Place – Barbara Rosario
Second Place – Ashraf Abudulai
Third Place – Quentin Curry
Fourth Place – Jeyrum Andujar
Fifth Place – Carmelo Reel
Honorable Mention – Ahmad Kabba

See the press release announcement.

See color highlights flier for 2018 (pdf).

See the booklet with all the winning essays from 2018 (pdf).

Six Young Tutors Win 2017 National Essay Contest Awards

The winners are…

First Place High School Winner – Ana Luisa Valenzuela, 12th Grade, Odessa High School, Ector County ISD, Texas
Second Place High School Winner – Anahi Ayala, 12th Grade, Odessa High School, Ector County ISD, Texas
Third Place High School Winner – Esmeray Olivas, 12th Grade, Odessa High School, Ector County ISD, Texas
First Place Middle School Winner – Jimena Guerrero, 8th Grade, Zamora Middle School, South San Antonio ISD, Texas
Second Place Middle School Winner – Jennifer Vela, 7th Grade, Domingo Treviño Middle School, La Joya ISD, Texas
Third Place Middle School Winner – Lilibeth Berlanga, 7th Grade, Memorial Middle School, La Joya ISD, Texas

High School Honorable Mentions

Nohemi Gavaldon, 12th Grade, Odessa High School, Ector County ISD, Texas
Bryanna Menchaca, 10th Grade, South San Antonio High School, Texas

Middle School Honorable Mentions

Daniella McBryde, 8th Grade, Zamora Middle School, San Antonio
Yuliana Calvillo, 7th Grade, Memorial Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Gerardo Rodríguez, 7th Grade, César Chávez Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Yahlitza Rosales, 8th Grade, Lorenzo De Zavala Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Daisy García, 7th Grade, Domingo Treviño Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Jeffry Rios, 9th Grade, New Open World Academy, Los Angeles
Mellene Heart Del Mundo, 8th Grade, John Still Middle School, Sacramento
Yarmell Ruffin, 8th Grade, Manierre Elementary School, Chicago
Khadija Begum, 8th Grade, Captain Manuel Rivera, Jr. PS/MS279, New York City

Elementary School Winners

While not yet in middle school, fifth-grade tutors in the Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program at PS94 Kings College School in New York City wrote their own essays. Below are the top scorers.

First Place Elementary School – J’sean Johnson
Second Place Elementary School – Liju Sheikh
Third Place Elementary School – Karla Llerena
Fourth Place Elementary School – Alijah Coles
Fifth Place Elementary School – Sebastian Davis
Elementary School Honorable Mention – Joshua Ruiz

See the press release.

See color highlights flier for 2017 (pdf).

See the booklet with all the winning essays from 2017 (pdf).

Six Teens Win 2016 National Essay Contest Awards

The winners are:

First Place High School Winner – Stefan García, 12th Grade, Odessa High School, Texas
Second Place High School Winner – Irma Tinoco, 11th Grade, Odessa High School, Texas
Third Place High School Winner – April Bermea, 11th Grade, South San Antonio High School, Texas
First Place Middle School Winner – Alexandra Sánchez, 8th Grade, MS 331 The Bronx School of Young Leaders, New York City
Second Place Middle School Winner – Mykel Jones, 8th Grade, John Still K-8 School, Sacramento
Third Place Middle School Winner – Melakii Uribe, 8th Grade, Robert C. Zamora Middle School, Texas

High School Honorable Mentions

Isabel Martínez, 10th Grade, South San Antonio High School, Texas
Jessica Suchil, 12th Grade, Odessa High School, Texas

Middle School Honorable Mentions

Sabrina Alemán, 8th Grade, Dwight Middle School, San Antonio
Lesly Barba, 7th Grade, César Chávez Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Mittzi Cantú, 7th Grade, Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Mariah De Luna, 8th Grade, Zamora Middle School, San Antonio
Brittney Fernández, 7th Grade, Irene M. García Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Shannon Holmes, 7th Grade, Carstens Elementary-Middle School, Detroit
Jeffrey Rios, 8th Grade, New Open World Academy, Los Angeles
Mabel Rivera, 8th Grade, MS 331 The Bronx School of Young Leaders, New York City
Aria Russell, 8th Grade, John Still K-8 School, Sacramento
Nikaulis Taveras, 8thGrade, Captain Manuel Rivera, Jr. PS/MS279, New York City
Anai Treviño, 7th Grade, Domingo Treviño Middle School, La Joya, Texas

While not yet in middle school, fifth-grade tutors in the Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program PS94 Kings College School in New York City wrote their own essays. Below are the top three scorers.

First Place Elementary School – Abdul Abdulai
Second Place Elementary School – Brian Martínez
Third Place Elementary School – Skylah Nix

Read the full news release (2016).
See color highlights flier (2016).
See all the winning essays from 2016.
See the winning elementary school essays from 2016.

Six Teens Win 2015 National Essay Contest Awards

The winners are:

First Place High School Winner – Nathaniel Duarte, 11th Grade, Odessa High School, Ector County ISD, Texas
Second Place High School Winner – Jerelie Márquez, 12th Grade, Odessa High School, Ector County ISD, Texas
Third Place High School Winner – Mónica Pando, 11th Grade, Odessa High School, Ector County ISD, Texas
First Place Middle School Winner – Agustina García, 7th Grade, Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School, La Joya ISD, Texas
Second Place Middle School Winner – José Rodríguez, 8th Grade, Captain Manuel Rivera, Jr. PS/MS279, New York City
Third Place Middle School Winner – Johan Servones, 8th Grade, Captain Manuel Rivera, Jr. PS/MS279, New York City

High School Honorable Mentions

Desiree Salazar – 9th Grade • South San Antonio High School • San Antonio

Middle School Honorable Mentions

Esmeralda Concha – 7th Grade • Memorial Middle School • La Joya, Texas
Ashley Franco – 8th Grade • New Open World Academy • Los Angeles
Natalie García – 7th Grade • Ann Richards Middle School • La Joya, Texas
Kimberly López – 7th Grade • César Chávez Middle School • La Joya, Texas
Alex Peña – 6th Grade • Domingo Treviño Middle School • La Joya, Texas
Teyundra Robinson – 8th Grade • George Manierre K-8 School • Chicago
Tameya Stringer – 8th Grade • Carstens Elementary-Middle School • Detroit
Jalil Tenner – 8th Grade • John Still K-8 School • Sacramento

Read the full news release (2015).
See color highlights flier (2015).
See all the winning essays from 2015.

Six Teens Win 2014 National Essay Contest Awards

The winners are:

First Place High School Winner – Michaela Valdez, 9^th Grade, South San Antonio High School
Second Place High School Winner – Nicholas Alderete, 9^th Grade, South San Antonio High School
Third Place High School Winner – Melina Martinez, 9^th Grade, South San Antonio High School
First Place Middle School Winner – Christian Ortiz, 7^th Grade, Domingo Treviño Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Second Place Middle School Winner – Gisel Salinas, 7^th Grade, Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Third Place Middle School Winner – Johan Servones, 7^th Grade, Captain Manuel Rivera, Jr. PS/MS279, New York City

High School Honorable Mentions

Brooke Johnston, 12th Grade, Odessa High School, Odessa, Texas
Lluvia Mancha, 9th Grade, South San Antonio High School, San Antonio

Middle School Honorable Mentions

Jesus Carrasco, 7th Grade, Memorial Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Shaila Gallegos, 7th Grade, J.D. Salinas Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Melissa Garcia, 7th Grade, Domingo Treviño Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Jackie Garza, 7^th Grade, Lorenzo De Zavala Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Brianna Nicole Gustamante, 8th Grade, Dwight Middle School, San Antonio
Paris Isaac, 8th Grade, Robert C. Zamora Middle School, San Antonio
Adiamond McGreachy, 8th Grade, Captain Manuel Rivera Jr. School PS/MS 279, New York City
Aysha Melendez, 7th Grade, Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Imelda Montelongo, 7th Grade, Cesar Chavez Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Kenia Perez, 7th Grade, Ann Richards, Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Paula Salgado, 8th Grade, New Open World Academy, Los Angeles
Jatoya Thigpen, 8th Grade, Manierre Elementary School, Chicago

Read the full news release (2014).
See color highlights flier (2014).
See all the winning essays from 2014.

Six Teens Win 2013 National Essay Contest Awards

The winners are:

First Place High School Winner – Yesenia Villarreal, 12th Grade, South San Antonio High School
Second Place High School Winner – Angelica Cavazos, 11th Grade, Odessa High School
Third Place High School Winner – Heather Perez, 11th Grade, South San Antonio High School
First Place Middle School Winner – Luis P. Acosta, 8th Grade, Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Second Place Middle School Winner – María Del Rosario Zuñiga, 8th Grade, Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Third Place Middle School Winner – Pedro Ramirez, 8th Grade, Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School, La Joya, Texas

High School Honorable Mentions

Steven Andre Mares – 12th Grade, South San Antonio High School, San Antonio
Elaine Ovalle – 11th grade, Odessa High School, Odessa, Texas

Middle School Honorable Mentions

José Luis Arrellano – 7th Grade, Ann Richards Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Stephanie Cantu – 7th Grade, Irene M. García Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Alicia Gonzalez – 7th Grade, J.D. Salinas Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Krystal Johnson – 7th Grade, Abraham Kazen Middle School, San Antonio
Elizabeth Miranda – 8th Grade, Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Robert Morales – 7th Grade, Robert C. Zamora Middle School, San Antonio
Heriberto Quintero – 8th Grade, Dwight Middle School, San Antonio
Danielle Ramirez – 8th Grade, César E. Chávez Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Cristina Valdez – 8th Grade, Memorial Middle School, La Joya, Texas

Read the full news release (2013).

See color highlights flier (2013).

Six Teens Win 2012 National Essay Contest Awards

The winners are:

First Place High School Winner – Lanala Hayes, 9th Grade, Phillis Wheatley High School, Houston
Second Place High School Winner – Sade Harnsberry, 10th Grade, E.L. Furr High School, Houston
Third Place High School Winner – Omar Galvan, 10th Grade, E.L. Furr High School, Houston
First Place Middle School Winner – María Armendariz, 8th Grade, Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Second Place Middle School Winner – Yamileth Gonzalez, 8th Grade, Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Third Place Middle School Winner – Pedro Sanchez, 8th Grade, Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School, La Joya, Texas

High School Honorable Mentions

Jacqueline Davis, 11th Grade, South San Antonio High School, San Antonio
Brittney Solomon – 9th Grade, James Madison High School, Houston

Middle School Honorable Mentions

Emily Duran – 7th Grade, Memorial Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Rashaard Sheats – 7th Grade, John F. Kennedy Middle School, Atlanta
Josue Reyes – 7th Grade, Ann Richards Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Atzhiry Gutierrez – 8th Grade, César E. Chávez Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Aylin Kovar – 8th Grade, Alan B. Shepard Middle School, San Antonio
Alberto Martinez – 7th Grade, Domingo Treviño Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Juanita Flores – 7th Grade, J.D. Salinas Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Julie Alderete – 8th Grade, Lorenzo De Zavala Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Flor Rivera – 7th Grade, Irene M. García Middle School, La Joya, Texas

Read the full news release (2012).

See color highlights flier (2012).

Young Tutors Win 2011 National Essay Contest Award

The six winners are:

First Place High School Winner – Kayla Rugg, Fuller Performance Learning Center, Cumberland County Schools, North Carolina
Second Place High School Winner – Nabeel Sattar, Lee High School, Houston
Third Place High School Winner – Briana Pardue, Odessa High School, Odessa, Texas
First Place Middle School Winner – Isaac Mata, Ann W. Richards Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Second Place Middle School Winner – Luis Vallejo, Juan D. Salinas Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Third Place Middle School Winner – Arlette Calderon, Memorial Middle School, La Joya, Texas

Read the full news release (2011).

See color highlights flier (2011).

Six Students Win 2010 National Essay Contest Award

The six winners are:

First Place High School Winner – Kwame’ Weatherall, Lee High School, Houston ISD, Texas – Also see Kwame’s YouTube video!
Second Place High School Winner – Andre Merritt, Fuller Performance Learning Center, Cumberland County Schools, North Carolina
Third Place High School Winner – Kayla Rugg, Fuller Performance Learning Center, Cumberland County Schools, North Carolina
First Place Middle School Winner – Wendy Ramírez, Dr. Javier Sáenz Middle School, La Joya ISD, Texas
Second Place Middle School Winner – Phylicia Molette, Kennedy Middle School, Atlanta Public Schools, Georgia
Third Place Middle School Winner – Valeria Acevedo, Ann Richards Middle School, La Joya ISD, Texas

Read the full news release 2010.
See color highlights flier (2010).

Texas Students Win 2009 National Essay Contest Award

U.S. winners are:

First Place High School Winner/Grand Prize – Gabriella Guajardo, South San Antonio High School
Second Place High School Winner – Nubia Cid, South San Antonio High School
Third Place High School Winner – Nora Isaac, Uvalde High School
First Place Middle School Winner – Jamilleth Hernandez, Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School, La Joya
Second Place Middle School Winner – Mary Vidaurri, Memorial Middle School, La Joya
Third Place Middle School Winner – Crisol Ortuño, Ann Richards Middle School, La Joya

Read the full news release 2009.

See color highlights flier (2009).

*formerly named the Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program

Valued Youth Partnership