The judges have made their final decisions and we are thrilled to announce the winners in the 2025 Vision+Voice Poetry Contest.
As you you read these winning poems you will see that there is a lot of variety – some are funny, some are sad, some are mysterious, and some are beautifully simple. All of these poems succeed in presenting a vision or a feeling of the poet’s world in their own special way.
Judging poetry isn’t easy, and our judges take this task very seriously. There were hundreds of wonderful poems to choose from, and we are confident that these poems are a great representation of the best entries in this year’s contest.
THE 2025 VISION+VOICE WINNERS ARE:
1st Grade
Exceptional Voice:
Marshmallow by Enzo R. / Ridgetop Elementary
Featured Voices:
Snowflakes (a Haiku) by Smera K. / Austin Montessori School
The Watermelon Bowl by Sahana S. / Austin Montessori School
The Pig and Wig by Jasper L. / Hernandez Elementary
2nd Grade
Exceptional Voice:
My Treehouse by Remington R. / Ridgetop Elementary
Featured Voices:
Annabeth by Annabeth O. / Ridgetop Elementary
Rainbow Butterflies by Annabeth O. / Ridgetop Elementary
The Rainforest Vibe by Grayton H. / Blackshear Elementary
A Valentine’s Day Poem by Evelyn Z. / Andrews Elementary
3rd Grade
Exceptional Voice:
Te amo, Mama by Eva A. / Ridgetop Elementary
Featured Voices:
The Winter Knight by Raaed Y. / Doss Elementary
Fire is Destructive by Kellan J. / Doss Elementary
Nature by Charlotte B.H. / Ridgetop Elementary
4th Grade
Exceptional Voice:
The Ascension to Night by Kellan J. / Brentwood Elementary
Featured Voices:
I am From by Lucy D. / Ridgetop Elementary
Pain by Nelson M. / Homeschool
ADHA by Wilhelmine H. / Crockett Elementary
5th Grade
Exceptional Voice:
Masks by Zuri R. / Crockett Elementary
Featured Voices:
A Collage of Women by Mila G.H. / Ridgetop Elementary
Follow that Voice by Emma E. / Blanton Elementary
When my Feet Hit the Ground by Camille R. / Ridgetop Elementary
6th Grade
Exceptional Voice:
New Year, Same Me by Rosie K. / Gorzycki Middle School
Featured Voices:
Mango the Cat by Anthony P. / Lamar Middle School
The Pen Owns the Poem by Dillon M. / Gorzycki Middle School
Mirror by Carys C. / Gorzycki Middle School
7th Grade
Exceptional Voice:
Splits by Brianna C. / Gorzycki Middle School
Featured Voices:
Different DySLExIa by Evie M. / Lamar Middle School
Left Love by Brianna C. / Gorzycki Middle School
What I Already Have by Avery M. / Miller Middle School
A fractured utopia by Fiona M. / Gorzycki Middle School
8th Grade
Exceptional Voice:
The Forecast of Sisterhood by Theodora P. / Lamar Middle School
Featured Voices:
Home by Olivia G. / Miller Middle School
Asylum by Zoe B. / Lamar Middle School
November Mornings by Larkin B. / Lamar Middle School
9th Grade
Exceptional Voice:
Golden Hour by Blythe M. / Austin High School
Featured Voices:
Flower by Raghavi S. / Rouse High School
Broken but Okay by Raghavi S. / Rouse High School
Don’t Fall in Love by Evelyn R. L. / Austin High School
Art by Ayanna O. / Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders
10th Grade
Exceptional Voice:
One, Quick Second by Gianna M. / San Marcos High School
Featured Voices:
Living in the Subway System by Elisa R. / Austin Achieve High School
Thanks (Ghazal) by Stella S. / Austin Achieve High School
Breath in Empty Space by April Y. / Crockett High School
11th Grade
Exceptional Voice:
Echoes of the Past by Ramah S. / Crockett High School
Featured Voices:
The Coffin by Miles W. / S. F. Austin High School
COACH DIDN’T CANCEL PRACTICE ON TUESDAY by Brynn G. / San Marcos High School
If I could Paint the Way I Dream by Savannah W. / Rouse High School
12th Grade
Exceptional Voice:
Her Story by Morgan L. / San Marcos High School
Featured Voices:
One in a Million (Sestina) by Andrew Y. / S. F. Austin High School
Prey by Harrison S. / Austin High School
Old Man Johnson by Izzy K. / S. F. Austin High School
Congratulations to all the poets, their teachers, and their families!