Two hundred and three students from 30 schools in 15 school districts submitted essays on why they are proud to be bilingual.  We are proud to announce the winners of the contest.

Elementary Division

1^st Place, Rowan Young Woelk, Global Village Academy, Douglas County is Proud to be Bilingual in Mandarin and English.

2^nd Place, Jose Madrigal Diaz, Johnson Elementary School, Denver Public Schools is Proud to be Bilingual in Spanish and English.

3^rd Place, Max Rynerson, Valdez Elementary School, Denver Public Schools is Proud to be Bilingual in Spanish and English.

Middle School Division

1^st Place, Luciana Celis Salamanca, Jefferson Jr/Sr High School-Jeffco, is Proud to be Bilingual in Spanish and English.

2^nd Place, Isabella Rodríguez, Salida del Sol Academy, Greeley-Evans District 6, is Proud to be Bilingual in Spanish and English.

3^rd Place, Gabriel Soto Catano, Jefferson Jr/Sr High School-Jeffco is Proud to be Bilingual in Spanish and English.

High School Division

There was a tie for first place in the high school division.

1^st Place, Razia Akbari, Dr Martin Luther King Junior Early College High School, Denver Public Schools, is Proud to be Bilingual in Farsi and English.

1^st Place, Jovanna Barba, Lakewood High School, Jeffco, is Proud to be Bilingual in Spanish and English.

2^nd Place, Windeli Romero Campos, Jefferson Jr/Sr High School, Jeffco, is Proud to be Bilingual in Spanish and English.

3^rd Place, Ashley Tiscareno Escobar, Jefferson Jr/Sr High School, Jeffco, is Proud to be Bilingual in Spanish and English.

Gracias to all the teachers who encouraged their students to write these essays and to the parents and guardians who support their children to develop their bilingualism, biliteracy, and biculturalism.

Y unas gracias muy especiales para Dr. Manuel Escamilla y Dra. Kathy Escamilla por su patrocinio de este Student Essay Contest.  We are all grateful that they have chosen to sponsor this event for more than 10 years.  Their love of bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural students and families is demonstrated through their generous support.