Six Teens Win 2018 
National Essay Contest Awards
IDRA Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program Tutors Share 
Stories of the Program's Impact on Their Lives

"The Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program made me open my eyes and 
has given me reasons that I should come to school every day, and 
that's exactly what I'm doing for my Pre-K tutees ." 
- Melanie Esparza, 9th Grade, South San Antonio ISD 
     
Six students received prizes in a national competition among participants in the Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program , a nationally-recognized cross-age tutoring program of the Intercultural Development Research Association. Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program tutors wrote about how the program helped them do better in school and how they had helped their tutees to do better.
  • First Place High School Winner - Santiago Sosa, 11th Grade, Odessa High School, Ector County ISD, Texas
  • Second Place High School Winner - Daniela Urquidi , 12th Grade, Odessa High School, Ector County ISD, Texas
  • Third Place High School Winner - Melanie Esparza, 9th Grade, South San Antonio High School, South San Antonio ISD, Texas
  • First Place Middle School Winner - Marely Garcí­a , 7th Grade, Trevino Middle School, La Joya ISD, Texas  
  • Second Place Middle School Winner - Isaias Zavala , 7th Grade, Memorial Middle School, La Joya ISD, Texas
  • Third Place Middle School Winner - Sipriano Badillo , 7th Grade, Memorial Middle School, La Joya ISD, Texas
There were competitions at both the middle school and high school levels in the United States. Winners from each competition are being awarded $200 for first place, $150 for second place and $100 for third place along with commemorative certificates. 
Highlights from the Winning Essays

Santiago Sosa
In his essay, Santiago Sosa wrote: "There are many reasons as to why I joined this the Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program, and I could go on and on as to why I stayed. I wouldn't even be writing this if it wasn't for my tutee who reminded me how hard it can be to learn differently from others... I know the struggles of being pulled out of class and the embarrassment of being pulled out in front of your classmates... Our experiences make us who we are. While my experience in third grade was hard, I learned that teachers are the ones who can help you see your true value. It also prepared me to work with my tutee, to show him that there are people who care, and that's what is important in life." See Santiago's full essay
"I've realized that the Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program is more than just tutoring little kids," wrote Daniela Urquidi. "It's also you becoming part of an innocent child's life and them becoming part of yours... The tutees who I was assigned to this year have taught me so much over the time I've spent with them. They reminded me how essential education is and that you'll need it throughout a lifetime. They taught me patience and kindness - something that I lacked and needed. They taught me about life, things I never knew I needed, all while I was teaching them things they would need in life as well." See Daniela's full essay
Melanie Esparza wrote in her essay: "The Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program made me open my eyes and has given me reasons that I should come to school every day, and that's exactly what I'm doing for my Pre-K tutees... I was losing interest in school because of my grades being low. I now feel good about seeing my progress reports and report cards!... All those good grades have made my attendance much better... I know [my tutees] enjoy me being there, and I wouldn't want to miss a day of seeing their smiling faces. That makes my day go on a lot better... Being in the Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program really made me think a lot about my future... I have learned that responsibility and dedication are important to be a good role model. The Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program has changed me, and I am determined to follow my dreams." See Melanie's full essay
"After I started tutoring, everything changed," wrote Marely García. "I learned to work and be patient with younger students. I also became more understanding and helpful toward my peers and siblings. Being a tutor has showed me that not only do we teach our tutees, but they also teach us and help us mature... I'm glad I was chosen to be in this program because it has made me a better person. I hope that these students I'm tutoring remember this opportunity that was given to them so that they will be the best they can be in the future." See Marely's full essay
In his essay, Isaias Zavala wrote: "The Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program has helped me become a more responsible student and person. In school, I would often misbehave, and now that I have been in the program I'm afraid to get a [disciplinary] referral, because I don't want to get exited out of the Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program... When I teach, I want the tutees to believe that I am very smart and that they can become smarter than me. It has been a pleasure tutoring at the elementary school, because when they see me walk into their class, the tutees get very happy. The spark in their faces helps me forget all the problems that are happening at home and school." See Isaias' full essay
"With the paychecks that this very awesome program has given me, I get to put some food on the table for my family and me," wrote Sipriano Badillo. "This makes me really very proud of how I can contribute to my family!... I honestly thought I was going to change my tutees, but I guess I was wrong, because they changed me... I am looking forward to giving more and more of me, to become a way better tutor than what I already am... The Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program is magic! It has transformed me into a stronger person... Thank You Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program for changing my life! Keep changing lives because that is what this program does best." See Sipriano's full essay
Essay booklet
Booklet with the Full Winning Essays
Honorable Mentions  
Honorable mentions were awarded to students in schools that submitted multiple student essays; these students had the highest score at their campus.
 
High School Honorable Mention  
  • Andrea Perea, 11th Grade, Odessa High School, Ector County ISD, Texas
Middle School Honorable Mentions 
  • Jazara Quintero, 7th Grade, Memorial Middle School, La Joya, Texas
  • Mía Villaseñor, 7th Grade, Domingo Treviño Middle School, La Joya, Texas
Academy School Winner - Charles C Ball Academy, San Antonio ISD, Texas
  • First Place - Amber Ortiz, 7th Grade
While not yet in middle school, our younger tutors in the Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program  at PS94 Kings College School in New York City wrote their own essays. Below are the top scorers.
  • First Place - Barbara Rosario
  • Second Place - Ashraf Abudulai
  • Third Place - Quentin Curry
  • Fourth Place - Jeyrum Andujar
  • Fifth Place - Carmelo Reel
  • Honorable Mention - Ahmad Kabba
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See how you can bring the 
Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program to your school! 
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The Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program is a research-based, internationally-recognized dropout prevention program that has kept 98 percent of its tutors in school. In the program, secondary students who are considered at-risk of dropping out of school are placed as tutors of elementary students, enabling them to make a difference in the younger students' lives. 

Given this role of personal and academic responsibility, the Valued Youth tutors bolster self-discipline and self-esteem. Schools shift to the philosophy and practices of valuing students considered at-risk. The program supports them with positive recognition and instruction.

Dropout Prevention and More!
The goal of the Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program is to reduce dropout rates. Participating schools have also seen
*  Enhanced basic academic skills and life skills,
*  Strengthened perceptions of self and school,
*  Reduced disciplinary action referrals and absenteeism, and
*  Strengthened school-home-community partnerships.

Since its inception in 1984, the program has kept more than 34,600 students in school, young people who were previously at risk of dropping out. According to the Valued Youth creed, all students are valuable, none is expendable. The lives of more than 718,000 children, families and educators have been positively impacted by the program.

In Texas, the State Board of Education approved the Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program as an innovative course eligible for credit. Students participating in the program can earn one state credit for their participation in this course.
IDRA Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program video
See our video overview of how the 
IDRA Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program impacts students and schools. 
[12 min]

IDRA Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program brochure
Get the program brochure.

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