This year’s annual William Saroyan Essay Writing Contest brought together bright young writers from 1st through 12th grade across the Central Valley to reflect on a timeless theme in Saroyan’s work: wisdom.
Students wrote to prompts based on this famous quote by the author:
“Good people are good because they’ve come to wisdom through failure. We get very little wisdom through success.” —William Saroyan
The Saroyan 2025 Essay Contest Awards Ceremony was held on Thursday, May 22 at Fresno Pacific University’s Warkentin Performing Arts Center. Students and their families enjoyed a special presentation by board secretary Gary Darakjian highlighting William Saroyan’s legacy and his continued relevance today. Board member Jack Chavoor also captivated the audience by appearing as Saroyan himself, bringing the celebrated writer’s voice and spirit to life on stage. And finally, acclaimed author Bonnie Hearn Hill announced the winners from each grade level, offering words of encouragement and celebrating the powerful perspectives students shared on this year’s theme of wisdom.
Thank you to all who participated, and congratulations to this year’s winners!
1st & 2nd Grade Winners
1st Place – David Orlando Tapia, 2nd grade | Yosemite Valley Charter (Teacher: Jessica Kulekjian)
2nd Place – Juli Lometti, 1st grade | Endeavor Charter School (Teacher: Brooke Hirata)
3rd Place – Sophia Torres, 1st grade | Cole Elementary (Teacher: Carmen Gomes)
3rd & 4th Grade Winners
1st Place – Nusaibah Qidwai, 4th grade | Dailey Elementary Charter School (Teacher: Alison Hudson)
2nd Place – Arianna Orozco-Heredia, 4th grade | John J. Pershing Elementary, Madera (Teacher: Michelle Dart)
3rd Place – David Butanda, 4th grade | John J. Pershing Elementary, Madera (Teacher: Michelle Dart)
5th & 6th Grade Winners
1st Place – Mara Pickett, 5th grade | Harold L. Woods Elementary (Teacher: Heather Glosier)
2nd Place – Colin Xiong, 5th grade | Roger S. Oraze Elementary (Teacher: Mrs. Gustafson)
3rd Place – Christopher Fields III, 6th grade | Kids Valley Oak Elementary (Teacher: Mr. Del Mundo)
9th-12th Grade Winners
1st Place – Breanna Turnbull, 9th grade | University High School (Teacher: Drew Bell)
2nd Place – Jill Esquivel, 9th grade | University High School (Teacher: Drew Bell)
3rd Place – Natalie Han, 9th grade | University High School (Teacher: Drew Bell)