On Dec. 14 the Italian Consulate in Houston presented literary awards to 38 Bellaire students. The Italian students created projects on the theme “Famous Italian Innovators”. Project choices included writing a poem, creating a poster or writing a short story. The projects were then sent to be judged by the Italian Consulate in Houston.

Junior Brandon Tolentino won a special prize.

“I wrote a poem about Pellegrino Turri who invented the typewriter,” Tolentino said. “I wrote the poem as if it was him sharing his ideas with his lover. Since she was blind, he wanted to invent the typewriter for her to be able to still send him letters. The contest was a lot of fun and I was enthused because I didn’t think I would place at all.”

The following students placed in the four award categories:

First prize native speakers: Sara Sdringola

First prize intermediate level: Elisa Ulloa and Jasmine Repreza

First prize beginners: Xochi Reyes, Hannah Henry

Special prizes: Lara Zupan, Alex Valentini, Angela Belman, Paola Lopez, Melina Quintanilla, Maria Bustos, Samantha Maldonado, Luz Rodriguez, Sara Wyatt, Amanda Pascali, Vilma Matzar, Kathryn Cornish, Dinna Pineda, Jenns Ngwyen, Cynthia Limones, Anna Palma, Cierra Loflin, Brandon Tolentino, Katherine Adame, Sydnee O’Neal, Ayllen Barrios, Zoe Muñoz, Sheila Tabac, Mariela Villela, Hallie Montalbo, Neva Cermola, Gladys Acosta, Clarissa Martinez, Chase Wells, Anthony Raul, Carolina Ramirez, Ryan Thompson, Sophia Casetta.