59th Annual Poetry & Art Contest (2024-2025)

“Creating My Career Path: Embracing Change in My Journey”

The National Career Development Association & North Carolina Career Development Association hosted the 59thAnnual Poetry & Art Contest in celebration of National Career Development Month in November. Every adult and student enrolled in public, private, and parochial schools, and colleges were eligible to participate. Throughout November 2024, schools from across the state hold local, school, and district wide contests to celebrate National Career Development Month. The theme for this year’s contest was "Creating My Career Path: Embracing Change in My Journey."

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF THE 59TH ANNUAL POETRY & ART CONTEST!

Poetry

PRIMARY DIVISION (K-2)

N/A

INTERMEDIATE DIVISION (3-5)

N/A

Middle Division (6-8)

1^st place: Aeryn Lapilli, Lufkin Road Middle School

2^nd place: Grace Turner, William Ellis Middle School

3^rd place: Natalie Samuel, Lufkin Road Middle School

Senior Division (9-12)

1^st place: Nods Romero, First Flight High School

2^nd place: HeartLeigh Murray, Crest High School

3^rd place: Shani’ya Hawthorne, Central Wake High School

OPEN ADULT (18+ enrolled in school)

1^st place: Crystal Waters, Piedmont Community College

2^nd place: Chearysh Randolph, Central Wake High School

3^rd place: Hannah Suehs, Wake Technical Community College

OPEN ADULT (18+ NOT enrolled in school)

1^st place: Stephen Tharrington

2^nd place: Tanisha Chaun Hunter

3^rd place: N/A

Art (Category 1)

PRIMARY DIVISION (K-2)

1^st place: Sophia Wilson, Moyock Elementary School

2^nd place: Daisy Templeton, South Smithfield Elementary School

3^rd place: Aaron Ordonez Zuniga, South Smithfield Elementary School

Intermediate Division (3-5)

1^st place: Ja’zaria Glee, South Smithfield Elementary School

2^nd place: Tom Hernandez, South Smithfield Elementary School

3^rd place: Alexandra Navarro, South Smithfield Elementary School

Middle Division (6-8)

1^st place: Omie Gornell, Manteo Middle School

2^nd place: CeCe LaPabic, Roland-Grise Middle School

3^rd place: Clara Jung, Lufkin Road Middle School

2^nd place: Daisy Brewster, Manteo Middle School

3^rd place: Fatima Santillan, Manteo Middle School

Senior Division (9-12)

1^st place: Jocelyn Hernandez-Jimenez, North Edgecombe High School

2^nd place: Anushka Mundhra, Early College at Guilford

3^rd place: Autumn Sailor, First Flight High School

OPEN ADULT (18+ enrolled in school)

N/A

Open Adult (18+ not enrolled in school)

1^st place: Garla & Nyla Smith

2^nd place: N/A

3^rd place: N/A

Art (Category 2)

primary division (K-2)

N/A

intermediate division (3-5)

N/A

middle division (6-8)

1^st place: Zach Matthews, William Ellis Middle School

2^nd place: Lilly Tongue, Manteo Middle School

3^rd place: Anabelle George, William Ellis Middle School

senior division (9-12)

1^st place: Tzara Albiter Acosta, Central Wake High School

2^nd place: Margot Gatton, Alleghany High School

3^rd place: Sophia Brogden, Alleghany High School

open adult (18+ enrolled in school)

1^st place: Kristi Rivers, Wake Technical Community College

2^nd place: Danica Bueno, Wake Technical Community College

3^rd place: Kathyrn Welch, Wilkes Community College

Open Adult (18+ not enrolled in school)

1^st place: Ronda Branch

2^nd place: Suzanne Voigt

3^rd place: Shanna Roberts

winning entries:

North Carolina's 2024 National Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the 58th Annual National Poetry & Art Contest! Thank you for celebrating National Career Development Month! Check out a list of all national winners here.

Art 1 Category

Grades K-2 | Caleb Woodward | 3rd place

Grades 6-8 | Darren Bellamy | 3rd place

Adult Student | Brooklyn Talbert | 1st place

Adult Student | Niya McQuilla | 2nd place

Open Adult | Nicolette Johnson | 1st place

Open Adult | Kenny Walker | 2nd place

Art 1 Category

Grades K-2 | Caleb Woodward | 3rd place

Grades 6-8 | Darren Bellamy | 3rd place

Adult Student | Brooklyn Talbert | 1st place

Adult Student | Niya McQuilla | 2nd place

Open Adult | Nicolette Johnson | 1st place

Open Adult | Kenny Walker | 2nd place

Art 2 Category

Grades 6-8 | Will Helms | 1st place

Grades 9-12 | Tzara Albiter Acosta | 2nd place

Grades 9-12 | Saxon Heuneman | 3rd place

Adult Student | Emma Huffman | 1st place

Adult Student | Hannah Hanlon | 2nd place

Adult Student | David Stephens | 3rd place

Open Adult | Ronda Branch | 2nd place

Poetry Category

Grades 3-5 | Dyemond Connor | 2nd place

Grades 6-8 | Keylin Andrade | 3rd place

Adult Student | Grace Abraham | 1st place

Adult Student | Deneatra Barfield | 2nd place

Thank you for your help in making this a successful contest for the state of NC. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:

 Elizabeth Bartell - elizabeth.bartell@ucps.k12.nc.us

 Allison Gibson - allison.gibson@sccnc.edu

Co-Chairs NCCDA Poetry and Art Contest and National Career Development Month

PREVIOUS ENTRIES:

North Carolina Career Development Association nccdamembers@gmail.com

Non-profit 501(c)6