Austin Community College is unveiling the winners of the first Vision + Voice poetry contest for Austin Independent School District students.

Students submitted more than 800 poems this spring, and a panel of published poets selected one winning poem per grade level. Students from ACC’s Arts and Humanities Division illustrated the chosen poems, and the final products are posters that will be displayed around Austin.

“The creativity of these young poets impressed all of us involved in Vision + Voice,” says Matthew Daude Laurents, interim dean of arts and humanities at ACC. “Poetry is a dynamic and relevant form of expression, and we look forward to sharing these students’ wonderful work with the community.”

ACC will host a Vision + Voice reception at ACC Highland, formerly Highland Mall, on Friday, September 19. The event, sponsored by KLRU, runs 6 to 8 p.m. and will feature readings by the winning poets as well as the unveiling of the posters. The winning works and honorable mentions also will be published on Voice, Austin ISD’s new digital press, with copies of the anthology distributed to participants, Austin ISD schools, and community partners.

“The Vision + Voice collaboration contributes to the culture of literacy we want for our district,” says Dr. Pauline Dow, chief academic officer for Austin ISD. “Students were able to engage in authentic literacy experiences, and the community is given the opportunity to celebrate their passion, creativity, and talents.”

To read the winning poems, visit the Vision + Voice webpage.