The judges have made their final decisions and we are thrilled to announce the winners in the 2026 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 2026 VISION+VOICE WINNERS ARE:
Kindergarden
Exceptional Voice:
Dragons by Rosie R. / Cowan Elementary
1st Grade
Exceptional Voice:
Air Clay Makes the Day by Austen P. / Crockett Elementary
2nd Grade
Exceptional Voice:
The Camino by Andrew M. / Homeschool
Featured Voices:
A World of People by Sahana S. / Austin Montessori School
My Grandma’s House by Smera K. / Austin Montessori School
3rd Grade
Exceptional Voice:
My Backyard Tree by Abbot C. / Homeschool
Featured Voices:
I am a Flashlight by Bea B. / Maplewood Elementary
Winter by Anna A. / Ridgetop Elementary
Summer Light by Grayton H. / Blackshear Elementary
4th Grade
Exceptional Voice:
Life by Audrey B. / Brentwood Elementary
Featured Voices:
A Rock by Bea R. / Cowan Elementary
I have a dream inspired by MLK jr by Alice N. / Brentwood Elementary
The Balloon by Bebe M. / Brentwood Elementary
5th Grade
Exceptional Voice:
My Best by Zenobia M. / Ridgetop Elementary
Featured Voices:
Sweet as a Lemon, Sour as a Peach by Addison M. / Crockett Elementary
Tim the Jororg by Thomas E. / Boone Elementary
Song of Life by Wilhelmine H. / Crockett Elementary
6th Grade
Exceptional Voice:
Waiting for Mockingbirds by Jane P. / Lamar Middle School
Featured Voices:
Pages by Lilian D. / Hill Country Middle School
Space by Sophie P. / Lamar Middle School
In My Dreams by Gabriel O. / Lamar Middle School
Devastated by Weston B. / Lamar Fine Arts Academy
7th Grade
Exceptional Voice:
We the People by Lily L. / Lamar Middle School
Featured Voices:
Seasons Changing by Ione S. / Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders
Dance by Stella D. / Lamar Middle School
Ode to My Sister by Aida B. / Lamar Middle School
Just in Case by Roselyn O. / Lively Middle School
8th Grade
Exceptional Voice:
The Incident by Caroline O. / Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders
Featured Voices:
100 Years by Avery M. / Doris Miller Middle School
The Boy Who Flew Too Close to the Sun by Jay S. / Lamar Middle School
Who is Love? by Isha P. / Gorzycki Middle School
9th Grade
Exceptional Voice:
I miss you, I really do! by Hope G. / Bowie High School
Featured Voices:
Scoli by Adelle H. / Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders
In Another Life by Maya T. / Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders
Saluda and Regrethus by Henry H. / Austin High School
10th Grade
Exceptional Voices:
When Stars Seem Small; Sonnet by Dakota D. / Austin High School
Liquid Memories by Ruby K. / Austin High School
Featured Voices:
Forever by Jayden J. / Rouse High School
I’m From My Family by Lucy C. / LASA
As Winter Fades to Spring by Atalie Q. / Austin High School=
11th Grade
Exceptional Voice:
Shell by Audrey B. / Austin High School
Featured Voices:
Elegy (My Valentine) by Emil H. / Austin High School
Rain Boots by Lizzy H. / Leander High School
Through the Path of Loss by Grant W. / Austin High School
A Hole by Wally H. / Austin High School
12th Grade
Exceptional Voice:
The Fasting Man by Ace H. / Austin High School
Featured Voices:
Change by Joshua T. / Akins High School
Where Liberty Is, There Is My Land by Sean G. / Austin High School
Dear Depression, by Ky S. / Rouse High School
Abroad Adventures: Shakespearean Sonnet by Sydney H. / Austin High School
Congratulations to all the poets, their teachers, and their families!