CDCR’s Office of Correctional Education (OCE) held its first statewide academic coach sponsored essay writing contest.
This innovative contest took place at eight institutions for students in Adult Basic Education (ABE) and Adult Secondary Education (ASE) in November 2024. According to organizers, OCE hopes to make this an annual event.
The program invited students to explore the broad and inspiring theme of Hero. Diverse interpretations and creative approaches were evident in the contest, supporting classroom projects, lessons, and units.
The contest was designed with three key objectives:
- Promote Academic Writing: Encourage students to develop writing skills and engage in reflective, meaningful storytelling.
- Teach the Writing Process: Provide teachers an opportunity to explicitly teach and reinforce the writing process, fostering growth and confidence in their students.
- Showcase Student Writing: Celebrate outstanding student achievements by spotlighting their essays on a statewide stage.
Contest theme: Hero
Participants were encouraged to interpret the concept of a “hero” in their own unique way—whether focusing on personal heroes, fictional figures, historical icons, or abstract ideals. The theme offers a broad canvas for creativity, while still providing clear direction for focused exploration.
At Pelican Bay State Prison, new OCE Superintendent Genevie Candelaria was there to shake hands and celebrate the students. Meanwhile, at High Desert State Prison, the warden, chief deputy warden and facility captains celebrated the students. At other sites, principals and teachers awarded the certificates.
When receiving his certificate, one student told OCE’s Northern Region Academic Coach Jennifer West his kids were going to be proud of him.
“Every class I have gone into, the students are asking when the next competition is because they want to be part of it,” said West. “The ripple effect is already working.”
The contest winners represent institutions from across the state.
The OCE essay contest winners
- GED first place: Jose Jacinto, Folsom State Prison.
- Adult Basic Education (ABE) 3’s first place: Sherry Risch, Central California Women’s Facility.
- ABE 2’s first place: Donald Centers, Mule Creek State Prison.
- ABE 1’s first place: Laudencio Patague, High Desert State Prison
- High School Diploma’s first place: Brandon Handly, Avenal State Prison.
The Hero Essay Writing Contest is supported by dedicated academic coaches and educators who strive to inspire lifelong learning and personal development. By integrating this contest into existing lessons and units, teachers are provided with a flexible tool to enhance academic writing instruction.
Story by the Office of Correctional Education
Submitted by Ashton Harris, information officer
Office of Public and Employee Communications
Essay contest in photos
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