April in San Antonio is filled with creativity, culture, and community as the city celebrates National Poetry Month with more than 65 events happening across the region. This year also marks a meaningful milestone with the announcement of the first-ever Student Poetry Contest winners, highlighting the voices of young writers from across the city.
The contest, open to San Antonio-area high school students, offered participants a $100 prize and the opportunity to have their poetry publicly displayed. It is part of San Antonio Poet Laureate Eddie Vega’s initiative to engage the literary community and expand access to poetry across the city.
“Our city is rich with stories waiting to be told through poetry,” Vega shared. “This contest gives our students the opportunity to share their voices and connect our neighborhoods through words and imagination.”
The inaugural contest recognized ten talented students whose work reflects the diversity and creativity of San Antonio:
Nyla Ellis – IDEA Harvey E. Najim Public School
Eesha Ande – Health Careers High School
Marylu Villicana – Edison High School
Arami Garcia – Northeast School of the Arts at Lee
Alani Myers – Young Women’s Leadership Academy
Rachel Williams – Brennan High School
Milo Bremer – Northeast School of the Arts at Lee
Sophia Payne – Northeast School of the Arts at Lee
Laurel Reyna – Northeast School of the Arts at Lee
Angeles Vargas – Jefferson High School
Winners will be announced at Viva Poesía, the official kickoff event for National Poetry Month in San Antonio.
Viva Poesía will take place on Saturday, April 11, from 6 to 10 p.m. at Mission Marquee Plaza. This year’s theme, “Doce Voces: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Poetry,” commemorates 250 years of the nation’s journey while celebrating local voices. Presented by the City of San Antonio’s World Heritage Office, the event will feature performances by current and past poets laureate, local literary artists, live music, poetry workshops, and interactive art activities for all ages.
The celebration continues downtown at Culture Commons Gallery, where 12 local poets—including the current poet laureate—will present ekphrastic performances inspired by artwork featured in the exhibition “Built on Legacy: Artists of San Antonio.” This free event will take place on Thursday, April 2, from 6 to 8 p.m., offering a unique experience that connects visual art and poetry.
Launched by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month has grown into one of the largest literary celebrations in the world. San Antonio joined the initiative in 2009 and has continued to expand its reach each year through community-centered programming and inclusive events.
From student voices to established poets, this year’s lineup reflects the city’s commitment to storytelling, creativity, and cultural expression. With dozens of events happening across San Antonio, there are many ways for the community to connect, be inspired, and celebrate the power of words.
