Student Poetry Contest Winners Announced for National Poetry Month
Published on April 01, 2026
SAN ANTONIO (April 1, 2026) – The City of San Antonio invites the entire community to celebrate in National Poetry Month. There are more than 65 events happening across the city.
The first-ever Student Poetry Contest was held for San Antonio-area high schoolers, offering a $100 prize and the opportunity to have their poem publicly displayed. The contest is part of San Antonio Poet Laureate Eddie Vega’s signature initiative; a project developed as part of his official duties to engage the literary community and expand access to poetry across the city. Winners will be announced at Viva Poesía.
“Our city is rich with stories waiting to be told through poetry,” said Vega. “This contest gives our students the opportunity to share their voices and connect our neighborhoods through words and imagination.”
Student Poetry Contest Winners
- Nyla Ellis – IDEA Harvey E. Najim Public School
- Eesha Ande – Health Careers High School
- Marylu Villicana – Edison High School
- Arami Garcia – Northeast School of the Arts at Lee
- Alani Myers – Young Women’s Leadership Academy
- Rachel Williams – Brennan High School
- Milo Bremer – Northeast School of the Arts at Lee
- Sophia Payne – Northeast School of the Arts at Lee
- Laurel Reyna – Northeast School of the Arts at Lee
- Angeles Vargas – Jefferson High School
Viva Poesía is the official kickoff event for National Poetry Month in San Antonio and this year’s theme is “Doce Voces: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Poetry” to commemorate 250 years of our nation’s journey. Presented by the City of San Antonio’s World Heritage Office, this special event takes place on Saturday, April 11 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the historic Mission Marquee Plaza (3100 Roosevelt Ave., 78214). The event will include performances by current and past poets laureate, alongside local literary artists, live music, poetry workshops, and make-and-take art activities. Learn more at the Arts & Culture website.
As part of the current exhibition at the Culture Commons Gallery, “Built on Legacy: Artists of San Antonio,” 12 local poets — including the current poet laureate — will present ekphrastic performances, sharing original poems inspired by selected artworks on view. The free event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, at Culture Commons Gallery (115 Plaza de Armas, 78205). Learn more at the Arts & Culture website.
Launched by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is one of the largest literary celebrations in the world. The City of San Antonio joined National Poetry Month in 2009 to raise awareness about the importance of poetry. For more information about National Poetry Month San Antonio 2026, including ways to celebrate and a full list of events, visit SA.gov/Arts and follow @GetCreativeSA.