IDRA Valued Youth Partnership Tutors Share Stories of the Program’s Impact on Their Lives
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 Winne r – 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, 8th Grade, 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 , 9th Grade, South San Antonio High School
Second Place High School Winner – Nicholas Alderete , 9th Grade, South San Antonio High School
Third Place High School Winner – Melina Martinez , 9th Grade, South San Antonio High School
First Place Middle School Winner – Christian Ortiz , 7th Grade, Domingo Treviño Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Second Place Middle School Winner – Gisel Salinas , 7th Grade, Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Third Place Middle School Winner – Johan Servones , 7th 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, 7th 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 , 10 th 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