“I am from concrete. From RapidDry and ground minerals. I am from sweet grass. (Pressed into the pages of my memory from Before.) I am from White Oak and Onyx Shadowy shimmers spellbinding simplistic minds. I am from midnight fires, mischievous eyes. From Christ - ina                       - opher . . .” Brittany Michelle Daniels, 17 Lexington, Kentucky

PROVIDENCE, RI—When we invited high school and middle school students from across the nation to explore "where they're from" in poetry or prose, we did not expect a stunning 1,200 submissions in one month.

Taking inspiration from the classic "Where I'm From" poem by George Ella Lyon, students wrote in surprising, lyrical voices about their origin points—both geographical and metaphorical. Out of this richness, we chose nine that caught our hearts to showcase as award-winners.  We chose anothee 21that could just as easily have been “winners”—true of so many of the poems we received.

The poems we share here are accomplished, interesting, and original. The students describe their surroundings from rural to urban, from first generation American to proud multi-generational American. Their imagery is complex, musical, and deeply felt.

Each award-winner receives a $100 gift card to a bookstore. All 1,200 students (and teachers) win our gratitude for sharing their words. Let's welcome the newest generation of American writers!

With special thanks to poet and WKCD writer Abe Louise Young, for her thoughtful assistance and review.

WKCD POETRY CONTEST WINNERS

(Click on a name to read the poem)

Brittany Michelle Daniels, 17, Henry Clay High School, Lexington, Kentucky
Kelechi Emetuche, 14, Benjamin Franklin High School, New Orleans, Louisiana 
Jacob Huff, 16, Heritage Christian High School, Indianapolis, Indiana
Michael Reed, 18, Chattanooga Center for the Performing Arts, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Paloma Ruiz, 12, Keystone School, San Antonio, Texas
Quiyana Stewart, 15, Promise Academy, New York, New York
Wesley Kyle Turner, 12, Highland Turner Elementary School, Booneville, Kentucky
Kang Bao Vang, 13, Franklin Middle School, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Sydney-Elise Washington, 16, Brockton High School, Brockton, Massachusetts

WKCD POETRY CONTEST RUNNERS UP

Brittany Aikens, 17, Jackson County Comprehensive High School, Jefferson, Georgia
Annika Basch, 13, Lucille M. Brown Middle School, Richmond, Virginia
Emily Brunson, 14, Round Rock, Texas
Emily A. Bruss, 12, Holmes Junior High, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Sakiah Dharhan, 14, Emeryville High School, Emeryville, California
Jean Dorvil, 16, High School for Service and Learning at Erasmus Hall Campus, Brooklyn, New York 
Fionnuala Fisk, 12, Lucille M. Brown Middle School, Richmond, Virginia
Jeremiah Grant Jr., 15, Queens Gateway to Health Sciences Secondary School, Queens Village, New York
Josie Kirton, 16, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Alana Laanui, 14, Maryknoll School, Honolulu, Hawaii
Ngor Luong, 13, Beebe Middle School ELL, Malden, Massachusetts
Maddie May, 15, Parkview High School, Lilburn, Georgia
Monae McClellan, 16, Eastside High School, Gainesville, Florida
Conner Miller, 14, Holmes Junior High, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Chante’ Mitchell, 11, Lucille M. Brown Middle School, Richmond, Virginia
Anika Mulaney, 13, Lawton Chiles Middle Academy, Lakeland, Florida
Bobby Rudahunga, 13, Briarmeadow Charter School, Houston, Texas
Jordyn Schara, 15, Reedsburg Area High School, Reedsburg, Wisconsin
Cassidy Trammell, 12, Bethlehem School, Westville, Florida
Sarah Uhlman, 15, Plymouth Regional High School, Ashland, New Hampshire
Jeff Walker, 14, A.B. Combs Elementary School, Combs, Kentucky