RIVERSIDE – More than 500 students from hundreds of public, private, charter, and home school locations throughout Riverside County submitted original poetry during the first week of Art Connects, the virtual student arts competition recently launched by the Riverside County Office of Education.
For the full list of all 32 honorees, and to view the award-winning submissions, visit the Art Connects Poetry Gallery.
The winning poetry submissions are also available as text by grade level competition below:
Tk-2 Poetry | 3-5 Poetry | 6-8 Poetry | 9-12 Poetry
First place winners in the first week of competition (poetry) include:
TK – 2nd Grade Category
Camryn Yazarlou
1st Grade
Paloma Elementary School
Temecula Valley Unified School District
3rd – 5th Grade Category
Elizabeth Pudussery
4th Grade
Benjamin Franklin Elementary School
Riverside Unified School District
6th – 8th Grade Category
Zachary Brasher
7th Grade
Dr. Augustine Ramirez Intermediate School
Corona-Norco Unified School District
9th – 12th Grade Category
Xuan-Anh Ly Biggs
9th Grade
Poly High School
Riverside Unified School District
About Art Connects
In an effort to help students channel their creativity during mandatory school closures due to COVID-19, the Riverside County Office of Education launched Art Connects on March 24th as a virtual student arts competition open to all students in transitional kindergarten through 12th grade in Riverside County.
“Despite the closure of schools, students in Riverside County are continuing to create, dream, and express their ideas through their own unique talents and abilities,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Judy D. White at the launch of the program. “Artistic expression is a healthy way for students to process their feelings, exercise their creative abilities, and expand their understanding of a changing world. These expressions have the power to uplift others and bring meaning to their life and the lives of others during challenging times.”
The competition is open to all students in grades TK-12 attending public, charter, private, parochial, or home school programs in Riverside County.
Winners will be announced in each grade level category approximately one week after the submission deadline for each week’s competition.
- 1st place award: $75 gift card from RCOE Foundation, plaque, and certificate of participation
- 2nd place award: $50 gift card from RCOE Foundation, and certificate of participation
- 3rd place award: $25 gift card from RCOE Foundation, and certificate of participation
- Honorable mention: Certificate of participation
“The roster of distinguished judges looking to support student artists includes Riverside County artists, poets, choreographers, actors, writers, educators, filmmakers, and musicians,” said Riverside County Arts Administrator, Louisa Higgins. “Judging criteria will include creativity/originality, connection to the weekly theme, artistic composition, and overall impression.”
Art Connects Competition and Submission Schedule
- Week Six (April 29 – May 5):
Additional details on Art Connects are available on the Art Connects web page or by contacting Louisa Higgins at lhiggins@rcoe.us.
