FINAL RESULTS OF 2017 JEFFCO WRITING CHALLENGE

Every year it is difficult to announce just a few winners for the JWC writing contest. All of the student writing entries were amazing and the ENC and Jeffco judges had very difficult choices with all the fantastic student works.

Over 1,100 Jefferson county students participated in the 2017 Jeffco Writing Challenge, submitting short fiction and poetry describing how books can change the world. The contest is sponsored by Education Nonprofit Corporation (ENC), a Golden-based nonprofit, in collaboration with Jefferson county educators.

“This year’s entries were so inspiring!” said Jody Thomas, adjunct English Professor and ENC consultant. “The kids really ran with the idea of books changing the world.”

Last year’s winners’ parents report how participation in the Jeffco Writing Challenge inspires their kids to work hard at writing well. Daniela Ciobanu, mother of last year’s 8th grade 3rd place winner Theodora, told ENC that the contest “makes kids care about the quality of their writing,” and many parents echoed the sentiments of Sina Hirsch, whose daughter Gwyneth was “over the moon” at receiving 1st place for 4th grade in 2016.

Entries are judged by a panel of elementary to post-secondary educators. First place winners will receive $100. Second place, third place and Honorable Mention awards are gift certificates.

The Jeffco Writing Challenge Awards ceremony featured local investigative journalist Sal Christ and author Laura Padgett as keynote speakers. Charlee Burnor of Alice 105.9 was the MC of the April 18 awards celebration.

Kindergarten Winners:

1st Place: Maddie Woulfe, Elk Creek Elementary
2nd Place: Vivian Pearson, Fairmount Elementary
3rd Place: Eli Baron, Fairmount Elementary
Honorable Mention: Ava Beck, Rooney Ranch Elementary

1st Grade Winners:

1st Place: Allison Le-Fontelle Pham, Fairmount Elementary
2nd Place: Madhvi Chittoor, Hackberry Hill Elementary
3rd Place: Griffith Frye, Meilkeljohn Elementary

2nd Grade Winners:

1st Place: Evelina Barens, Ralston Elementary
2nd Place: Lily Woulfe, Elk Creek Elementary
3rd Place: Arwen Ruvolo, Free Horizon Montessori
Honorable Mention: Anna Bender, Golden View Classical Academy

3rd Grade Winners:

1st Place: Lilly Phillips, Free Horizon Montessori
2nd Place: Natanya Ben-Akiva, Excel Academy
3rd Place: Evie Strafface, Prospect Valley Elementary
Honorable Mention – Turner Federico, Vanderhoof Elementary

4th Grade Winners:

1st Place: Haley Bisant, Devinny Elementary
2nd Place: Samantha Hale, Parmalee Elementary
3rd Place: Seth Hertel, Prospect Valley Elementary
Honorable Mention – Lucas Speers, Parmalee Elementary

5th Grade Winners:

1st Place: Mariah Martinez, Prospect Valley Elementary
2nd Place: Hannah Tarman, Betty Adams Elementary
3rd Place: Lily Goostree, Red Rocks Elementary
Honorable Mention – Rhiannon Danborn, Vanderhoof Elementary

6th Grade Winners:

1st Place: Natalie Phillips, Bell Middle School
2nd Place: Berit Lundberg, Bell Middle School
3rd Place: Caroline Stoltenberg, Bell Middle School
Honorable Mention – Sarah Falco, Red Rocks Elementary

7th Grade Winners:

1st Place: Allison Ruskell, North Arvada Middle School
2nd Place: Sophie Bucknam, North Arvada Middle School
3rd Place: Rhianna Dains, North Arvada Middle School
Honorable Mention: Paige Adzema, Bell Middle School

8th Grade Winners:

1st Place: Tyler Burt, North Arvada Middle School
2nd Place: Danielle Killeen, Ken Caryl Middle School
3rd Place: Nate Pott, North Arvada Middle School
Honorable Mention: Ethan Cox, Bell Middle School

9th Grade Winners:

1st Place: Ava Knoshaug, Lakewood High School
2nd Place: Dante Fullone, Wheat Ridge High School
3rd Place: Casandra Avalos, Lakewood High School

10th Grade Winners:

1st Place: Gaby Castillo, Lakewood High School
3rd Place: Madisen Hallsten, Dakota Ridge High School
Honorable Mention-Alexis Alcala-Parra, Lakewood High School

11th Grade Winner:

1st Place: Connor Horsman, Wheat Ridge High School

12th Grade Winners:

1st Place: Judy Van Metre, Sobesky Academy
2nd Place: Alessandra Fullone, Arvada High School

Results for

WINNING SCHOOLS FOR THE JEFFCO WRITING CHALLENGE!

Highest Percentage of School Participation (Based On Enrollment)

1st-Bell Middle School
2nd-Red Rocks Elementary
3rd-Woodrow Wilson Academy

Schools with Highest Percentage of Winners vs Entries

1st-Fairmount Elementary
2nd-Elk Creek Elementary
2nd-Free Horizon Montessori
2nd-Vanderhoof Elementary
3rd-Lakewood High School

ENC was founded in 2008 and has donated over $224,000.00 to local schools since 2009.

Contact Information:
ENC
Barbara Banning
710 10th St., #160, Golden CO
or P.O. Box 688, Golden, CO 80402
(720) 354-1444