27 Kyrene students recognized for their poems

April is National Poetry Month and to celebrate, Kyrene poets from across the district were honored by the Kyrene Governing Board and superintendent in front of their families and school leaders.

Twenty-seven young writers in kindergarten through 8th grade were invited to the April 23 Governing Board meeting to receive a certificate and a copy of the 2024 anthology, according to a district release.

“This is my sixth year serving on the Governing Board, and without exception, this is my favorite meeting of the year,” Kyrene Governing Board President Kevin Walsh stated at the meeting. “We get to hear from and honor some of the amazing poets that we have in Kyrene.”

Three students were invited up to the podium to read their poems:

• Isabella Miller (Grade 3, Kyrene de la Estrella Elementary school) shared her poem , “I Am a Magical Person.”
• Amir Al Khalidi (Grade 7, Kyrene Aprende Middle School) recited his poem, “Life and Death.”
• Liia Reyes (Grade 7,  Kyrene Digital Academy) read her poem, “Learning Flowers.”

“These talented young minds have poured their hearts and imagination onto the pages, weaving words into vibrant tapestries of emotion and expression,” Director of Academic Equity and Excellence Dr. Sarah Collins stated in the release. “Through their poems, they offer glimpses into their own perspectives capturing moments of joy, reflection, inspiration and fun.”

The full list of winners is:

Kindergarten:

• Emil Munir, Kyrene del Norte Dual Language Academy
• Elise Wollet, Kyrene del Milenio
• Torin Baumgart, Kyrene de la Paloma Arts Integration Academy

First Grade:

• Aaraadya Srivathsan, Kyrene del Cielo
• Kennedy Burt, Kyrene de la Colina
• Everly Robetoy, Kyrene de las Manitas Innovation Academy

Second Grade:

• Ryder Wick, Kyrene de la Estrella
• Chase Esposito, Kyrene Monte Vista
• Whitney Crouch, Kyrene de la Sierra

Third Grade:

• Camila Zisler, Kyrene de los Cerritos Leadership Academy
• Madyx Simon, Kyrene del Milenio
• Isabella Miller, Kyrene de la Estrella

Fourth Grade:

• Isaac Sallee, Kyrene de los Cerritos Leadership Academy
• Kayla Armsterd, Kyrene Traditional Academy
• Shane Naughton, Kyrene de la Colina

Fifth Grade:

• Clara DeMaris, Kyrene Monte Vista
• Carson Nighswonger, Kyrene de la Paloma Arts Integration Academy
• Maya Elhassan, Kyrene de las Manitas Innovation Academy

Sixth Grade:

• Ellie Grimm, Kyrene Middle School
• Alexa Powers, Kyrene Akimel A-al Middle School
• Willa Chivers, Kyrene Altadeña Middle School

Seventh Grade:

• Liia Reyes, Kyrene Digital Academy
• Vivian Villalobos, Kyrene Altadeña Middle School
• Amir Al Khalidi, Kyrene Aprende Middle School

Eighth Grade:

• Nick Delarosa, Kyrene Digital Academy
• Madelynn Mascarenas, Kyrene Aprende Middle School
• Kolby Isetta, Kyrene Akimel A-al Middle School