Texas-Area Second Graders Submit Poems and Essays on “Why I am Proud to Live in Texas”
Today, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ Trailblazer Committee announced the winners of its inaugural Writing Competition for 2021. Texas-area second graders were invited to submit either a poem or an essay, following the theme, “Why I am Proud to Live in Texas.”
Awards were issued for first, second and third place in each category, as well as for one overall Trailblazer’s Choice award, which was selected by the Rodeo’s Trailblazer Committee.
The 2021 winners are:
Essay
1st – Claire Pumphrey, Huggins Elementary – Fulshear, Texas
2nd – Emma Ferguson, Greens Prairie Elementary – College Station, Texas 3rd – Ava Bessler, Homeschooled – College Station, Texas
Poetry
1st – Hunter Hoffman, Whitney Elementary – Whitney, Texas 2nd – Blaise Bayer, Homeschooled – Gainesville, Texas
3rd – Savannah Evans, Second Baptist School – Houston
Trailblazer’s Choice
Essay
Cydney Howell, Cornerstone Christian Academy – Houston
Poetry
Bryson Courtney, Harvey Brown Elementary – Houston
“I couldn’t be prouder of the entries that we received in just our first year, especially during a pandemic,” said Tonya Yurgensen-Jacks, officer in charge of the Rodeo’s Trailblazer Committee. “The talent, creativity and tenacity that these young Texans displayed was not just encouraging, but truly heartwarming.”
The competition was developed to support literacy and writing skills and encourage creativity in Texas students, which falls in line with the Trailblazer Committee’s ongoing efforts to promote reading and literacy in school children, year-round. Each entry was judged by committee volunteers in two weighted, blind rounds on the following criteria: 60% creativity, 30% organization and 10% correctness of style. For more information on the Writing Competition, visit the dedicated webpage on the Rodeo website.
Following the volunteer judging, the top entries were judged by a panel of “celebrity” judges, including Zane Carruth, a children’s author from Houston, Allie Burton, a young adult author from Colorado, and Chris Mullen, a Western author from Richmond, Texas, and 2020 American Fiction Award Winner.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage and provides year-round educational support within the community. Since its beginning in 1932, the Rodeo has committed more than $500 million to the youth of Texas and education. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com and connect with #RODEOHOUSTON online via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for all the latest news.