Pueblo Home of Heroes Association Essay Contest – 2025
Pueblo Home of Heroes Association, in cooperation with Pueblo City-County Library District, is pleased to announce the winners of the 16th annual essay contest.
This Year’s theme was:
“When you recite the Pledge of Allegiance what does it mean to you and why?”
The following guidelines were required:
- All entries must be typed:
- 300 – 500 words for grades 4 and 5
- 400 – 700 words for grades 6 – 8
- 500 – 1,000 words for grades 9 – 12
Pueblo Home of Heroes Association and Pueblo City-County Library District wish to thank teachers and parents for encouraging their students and children to participate in this essay contest.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 4-5 WINNER
1st place: Junie Hall – age 9, South Mesa Elementary, Teacher Mr. Bowen
2nd Place: Haley Swope – age 10, South Mesa Elementary, Teacher Mr. Bowen
3rd Place: Yaraneei Sanchez – age 9, South Mesa Elementary, Teacher Mrs. Hanratty/Mrs. Brown
Honorable Mention:
Bailey Whiting – age 11, Prairie Winds Elementary, Teacher Mrs. Powell
Karina Ramirez – age 10, Prairie Winds Elementary, Mrs. Powell
Middle SCHOOL 6-8 WINNER
1st Place: Leah Stotts – age 13, Vineland Middle School, Teacher Mrs. Lynette Chavez
2nd Place: Jerzey Rhodes – age 14, Vineland Middle School, Teacher Mrs. Lynette Chavez
3rd Place: Kinley Kirby – age 13, Vineland Middle School, Teacher Mrs. Lynette Chavez
Honorable Mention:
Rosie Miner – age 14, Vineland Middle School, Teacher Mrs. Lynette Chavez
Garrett Dionisio – age 13, Vineland Middle School, Teacher Mrs. Lynette Chavez
Yalaina Dickerson – age 14, Vineland Middle School, Teacher Mrs. Lynette Chavez
High SCHOOL 9-12 WINNER
1st Place: Carina Milne – age 18, Rye High School, Teacher Cole Estes
2nd Place: Joseph Upshaw – age 16, Pueblo West High School, Teacher LTC Emond
3rd Place: Ian Reynoso – age 14, Pueblo South High School, Teacher MSG Dilcher
Honorable Mention:
Ryan Szakal – age 18, Pueblo West High School, Teacher Colonel Emond
Erick Chavez – age 17, Pueblo West High School, Teacher Colonel Emond
Brooke Newitt – age 15, Rye High School, Teacher Cole Estes

Back row, left to right: Ian Reynoso, Yalaina Dickerson, Carina Milne, Joseph Upshaw
Middle row, left to right: Brooke Newitt, Garrett Dionisio, Yaraneei Sanchez, Rosie Miner, Bailey Whiting, Jersey Rhodes, Leah Stotts, Kinley Kirby
Front row left to right: Karina Ramirez, Junie Hall, Haley Swope
2024 Winners
2023 Winners
2022 Winners
2021 Winners
2020 Winners
2019 Winners
2018 Winners
2017 Winners
2016 Winners