Everett High School student Carlos Rodriguez (from left), AP Spanish teacher Margarita Hurtado and student Jocelyn Ramirez celebrate top awards in the 20th annual “Yo escribo en Español” literacy contest. (Contributed photo)

Everett High School student Carlos Rodriguez (from left), AP Spanish teacher Margarita Hurtado and student Jocelyn Ramirez celebrate top awards in the 20th annual “Yo escribo en Español” literacy contest. (Contributed photo)

Local teens win awards in Spanish writing contests

Local Spanish-language students earned awards in the 20th annual “Yo escribo en Español” literacy contest sponsored by the Center for Spanish Studies in Seattle, the University of Washington and the education offices for Washington and Spain.

Everett High School senior Jocelyn Ramirez earned a first-place award in poetry. “I’ve never got a prize for writing poetry and this was a beautiful feeling and experience,” Ramirez wrote.

Henry M. Jackson High School senior June Chang placed third with her narrative essay. Classmate Jared Kerber placed third in poetry.

Everett High sophomore Carlos Rodriguez earned an honorable mention for his narrative essay.

All four students take college-level Advanced Placement Spanish language or culture studies at their schools. Ramirez’s and Rodriguez’s honors came in categories for native Spanish speakers. Chang’s and Kerber’s came in a category for speakers of other languages.

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