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VCUSD Invites Students to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Through Art and Writing

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VCUSD Invites Students to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Through Art and Writing
VCUSD Invites Students to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Through Art and Writing

VALLEJO, Calif. — Vallejo City Unified School District invites students in transitional kindergarten through 12th grade to participate in its first annual Hispanic Heritage Month Art and Poetry Contest.

Latino students make up the largest share of VCUSD’s student population, making Hispanic Heritage Month especially meaningful across the district. The contest celebrates the cultures, experiences, and traditions represented in VCUSD classrooms while giving students of all backgrounds an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the Hispanic and Latino communities that have helped shape Vallejo and the nation.

Inspired by the theme, “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Community,” VCUSD students are encouraged to celebrate and reflect on the histories, traditions, literature, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans through original visual artwork, poetry, or short stories.

“This contest gives our students an opportunity to explore culture, identity, and community through their own creative voices,” VCUSD Superintendent Rubén Aurelio said. “We look forward to celebrating the many perspectives and talents represented across our schools.”

Students may submit an entry in one of three categories:

  • Visual art: An original drawing, painting, watercolor, collage, or digital artwork ranging in size from 8.5 inches by 11 inches to 18 inches by 24 inches. Entries must include a two- to five-sentence artist statement.
  • Poetry: An original poem written in English, Spanish, or both languages. Poems may be written in free verse, sonnet, haiku, or spoken-word style and may not exceed 30 lines.
  • Short story: An original story written in English, Spanish, or both languages, with a maximum length of 2,000 words.

Entries will be evaluated within four grade bands: transitional kindergarten through second grade, third through fifth grade, sixth through eighth grade, and ninth through 12th grade. Judges will consider each entry’s connection to the theme, creativity, craftsmanship, and accompanying artist or author statement.

All submissions must be entirely created by the student. Generative artificial intelligence tools and copyrighted images, logos, or characters may not be used. Entries must also comply with district standards for school-appropriate content and may not depict or promote violence, weapons, self-harm, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, nudity, or sexually explicit or suggestive material.

Students must attach a completed official entry form to the back of physical submissions and provide a digital copy or photograph with the application. Completed entries should be submitted to the student’s school main office by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.

First-, second-, and third-place certificates will be awarded in each category and grade band, along with a Superintendent’s Choice Award. Student submissions will be celebrated at the Oct. 7 VCUSD Governing Board meeting, where winning poets will also be invited to share their work publicly.

Contest details, forms, and important dates are available through the VCUSD Hispanic Heritage Month Art and Poetry Contest information page.

View the Contest Details and Submission Form

A smiling man in a brown cap and sunglasses is in the foreground, while a crowd of people and a yellow shipping container are in the background.
In the foreground, several men are clapping, while in the background, more people are gathered outdoors.
A bald man with glasses and a suit speaks into a microphone in front of a blurred background of trees and a sign with text.
Five people in hard hats stand behind a pile of dirt holding shovels, with a %22Coming Soon%22 sign and a stadium in the background.
Five people in hard hats stand behind a pile of dirt, holding shovels, with a %22Coming Soon%22 billboard and a hilly landscape in the background.
A group of people in hard hats participate in a groundbreaking ceremony with shovels in a pile of dirt in the foreground, while a %22Coming Soon%22 sign and a park-like landscape are visible in the background.
A group of people in hard hats dig into a pile of dirt in the foreground, with a %22coming soon%22 sign and a baseball field visible in the background.
A group of people in hard hats dig into a pile of dirt in the foreground, with a large billboard showing a stadium and the words %22Coming Soon%22 in the background.
A group of people in hard hats and safety vests are breaking ground with shovels on a pile of dirt in the foreground, with a %22coming soon%22 sign and a cloudy sky in the background.
A group of people in hard hats dig into a pile of dirt in the foreground, with a %22Coming Soon%22 sign and a landscaped area in the background.
A group of people in hard hats stand behind a pile of dirt, ready to break ground, with a %22Coming Soon%22 sign and a baseball field visible in the background.
A group of people in hard hats are breaking ground with shovels in the foreground, while a %22Coming Soon%22 billboard and a stadium are visible in the background.
Five people in hard hats hold shovels in a pile of dirt in the foreground, with a large %22Coming Soon%22 billboard and a stadium in the background.

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