Join us in congratulating the YouthLead Turning Point Writing Contest winners! 

We want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who submitted a poem or essay. Our evaluation team had a difficult time choosing from the many compelling poems and essays we received from around the world. These turning point stories illustrated that one can find inspiration and become a changemaker through a variety of paths. The team has selected first, second, and third place winners for each language (English, French, and Spanish) and category (poem and essay), along with several honorable mentions. We invite you to meet the winners, listed below, and find inspiration in their words!

• First place essay (English): Dennis Nyarko 
• First place essay (French): Daniela Loberline Ratiarisoa  
• First place essay (Spanish): Minerva Valier Camacho  
• First place poem (English): Chanda Manda 
• First place poem (Spanish): Nelly Monzón 
• Second place poem (English): Lindsay Nyabereka 
• Second place essay (English): Modupeoluwa Opoola 
• Second place essay (Spanish): Tinka George William 
• Second place essay (French): Averty Delamizere Ndzoyi  
• Third place essay (English): Grace Kahinga 
• Third place poem (English): Ruth Mtangadura 
• Third place essay (French): Kelvin Adantchede  

Honorable Mentions:

Poem: Pragya Sharma   
Essay: Lateefa Musah   
Essay: Guinbe Arnaud  
Essay: Jacqueline López  
Essay: Aline Zunzunegui López   
Essay: Hortencia Nuhu  
Essay: Deepshikha Chhetri   
Essay: Eseosa Iyagbaye  
Essay: Oroma Kenneth 
Essay: Susan Jere  
Essay: Fernando Cardona 
Essay: Aime Ludovic Pegdwende Sawadogo