On Monday, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) held a celebration where first through fifth grade student finalists competed in a Spanish-language oratory competition, reciting famous poems and literature from memory. The students and their families convened at Instituto Cervantes in downtown Chicago for the competition. Monday’s finalists first won their respective school-level contests and then advanced through rigorous semi-finals in mid-April involving more than 100 students. During the finals, four judges evaluated the performances and selected winners from each grade level as follows:

1st and 2nd Grade:

First Place: Dina Vele-Guaman – Charles R. Darwin Elementary
(Photos attached; Dina is in white dress)

Second Place: Julian Vergara Espinoza – Lloyd Elementary

Third Place: Julieta Stevenson – Ruben Salazar Bilingual Center

Fourth Place: Omar Olvera-Moreno – Orozco Academy

Fifth Place: Nathan Luna – Hurley Elementary

3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade:

First Place: Xavier Padilla – Mariano Azuela Elementary

Second Place: Alicia Chairez Rodriguez – Tarkington Elementary

Third Place: Arianna Briones-Salas – R. Edwards Elementary

Fourth Place: Danette S. Valdivia Paiz – Schubert Elementary

Fifth Place: Luis Vasquez – Hurley Elementary

Photo Credit: Chicago Public Schools