60th Annual Poetry & Art Contest (2025-2026)
“The Evolution of Work: Careers in the Past, Present and Future”
| Greetings Educators and Counselors! The National Career Development Association is hosting the 60th Annual 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 are eligible. There is also a division open to adults not enrolled in an educational institution. Local winning entries (from internal school or organization contest) in poetry, original art, and mixed media art are sent to the State Contest, hosted by the North Carolina Career Development Association. State winners move on to the National Contest. North Carolina has had many national winners in the past! We hope to have even more this year! The theme for this year’s contest is “The Evolution of Work: Careers in the Past, Present and Future” State Submission Deadline is December 20, 2025 Click on the image to open the contest brochure! |
Call for Volunteers:
Judge Our Poetry and Art Contest!
We are excited to announce the upcoming Poetry and Art Contest for the 2025-2026 school year! This is a wonderful opportunity for our talented students to showcase their creativity and express themselves through their art and poetry.
To make this event a success, we are seeking enthusiastic volunteers to serve as judges. Your insights and perspectives will be invaluable in recognizing and celebrating the incredible work of our students.
More instructions will be given out later.
If you are passionate about poetry and art, and would like to help us inspire our students, we would love to have you on board! No prior judging experience is required; just a willingness to engage with our students' creative efforts.
To volunteer please complete this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1fVjyT35sNCCemZmN2fvlQpDU1ddZOUyY10NzBB_Hms8/edit
For more information, please email allison.gibson@sccnc.edu or elizabeth.bartell@ucps.k12.nc.us.
Thank you for your support in fostering the artistic talents of our students. We look forward to hearing from you!
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)1st place: Aeryn Lapilli, Lufkin Road Middle School 2nd place: Grace Turner, William Ellis Middle School 3rd place: Natalie Samuel, Lufkin Road Middle School | Senior Division (9-12)1st place: Nods Romero, First Flight High School 2nd place: HeartLeigh Murray, Crest High School 3rd place: Shani’ya Hawthorne, Central Wake High School | OPEN ADULT (18+ enrolled in school)1st place: Crystal Waters, Piedmont Community College
2nd place: Chearysh Randolph, Central Wake High School
3rd place: Hannah Suehs, Wake Technical Community College OPEN ADULT (18+ NOT enrolled in school)1st place: Stephen Tharrington 2nd place: Tanisha Chaun Hunter 3rd place: N/A |
Art (Category 1)
PRIMARY DIVISION (K-2)1st place: Sophia Wilson, Moyock Elementary School 2nd place: Daisy Templeton, South Smithfield Elementary School 3rd place: Aaron Ordonez Zuniga, South Smithfield Elementary School Intermediate Division (3-5)1st place: Ja’zaria Glee, South Smithfield Elementary School 2nd place: Tom Hernandez, South Smithfield Elementary School 3rd place: Alexandra Navarro, South Smithfield Elementary School | Middle Division (6-8)1st place: Omie Gornell, Manteo Middle School 2nd place: CeCe LaPabic, Roland-Grise Middle School 3rd place: Clara Jung, Lufkin Road Middle School | Senior Division (9-12)1st place: Jocelyn Hernandez-Jimenez, North Edgecombe High School 2nd place: Anushka Mundhra, Early College at Guilford 3rd place: Autumn Sailor, First Flight High School | OPEN ADULT (18+ enrolled in school)N/A Open Adult (18+ not enrolled in school)1st place: Garla & Nyla Smith 2nd place: N/A
3rd place: N/A |
Art (Category 2)
primary division (K-2)N/A intermediate division (3-5)N/A | middle division (6-8)1st place: Zach Matthews, William Ellis Middle School 2nd place: Lilly Tongue, Manteo Middle School 3rd place: Anabelle George, William Ellis Middle School | senior division (9-12)1st place: Tzara Albiter Acosta, Central Wake High School 2nd place: Margot Gatton, Alleghany High School 3rd place: Sophia Brogden, Alleghany High School | open adult (18+ enrolled in school)1st place: Kristi Rivers, Wake Technical Community College 2nd place: Danica Bueno, Wake Technical Community College 3rd place: Kathyrn Welch, Wilkes Community College Open Adult (18+ not enrolled in school)1st place: Ronda Branch 2nd place: Suzanne Voigt 3rd place: Shanna Roberts |
winning entries: |
North Carolina's 2024 National WinnersCongratulations 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 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:
Co-Chairs NCCDA Poetry and Art Contest and National Career Development Month |
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