Just under one hundred New Mexico students entered the 2021 contest. Of those entries, 55 writers advanced to round two and 29 writers advanced to round three. In Level 1, there were 56 entries with 13 letters advancing to round three state judging. In Level 2, there were 24 entries with 8 letters advancing to round three. In Level 3, there were 17 entries with 8 letters moving on to round three state judging. All of the writers who advanced to round two will receive an award certificate in the mail. From the twenty-nine round 3 state finalists, the state judges selected three champions, three second place writers, three third place writers, and six honorable mention letters. Many New Mexico schools and home schooled students from around the state participate in the competition. We appreciate the support of teachers, librarians, and parents for Letters About Literature.
Level 1 Winner
- 1st Place: Emma Diefel
- Emma’s Letter to Raina Telgemeier
- Emma reading her letter
- 2nd Place: Emmasofia Hayett
- 3rd Place: Sadie Clark
- Honorable Mentions: Nayeli Solis Jacobson & McKenzie Lee Mortensen
Round 2, Level 1 State Finalists | Round 3, Level 1 State Finalists
Level 2 Winner
- 1st Place: Piper Heffron
- Piper’s Letter to Margaret Gurevich
- Piper reading her letter
- 2nd Place: Haddi Rychlik
- 3rd Place: Tanay Tarikere
- Honorable Mentions: Maiya Brock & Mackenzie Carlsen
Round 2, Level 2 State Finalists | Round 3, Level 2 State Finalists
Level 3 Winner
- 1st Place: Isabelle Workman
- Isabelle’s Letter to Jandy Nelson
- Isabelle reading her letter
- 2nd Place: Daniel Hunter Bluedorn
- 3rd Place: Scott Hofmann
- Honorable Mentions: Serenity Grace Hall & Loriann Chavez
Round 2, Level 3 State Finalists | Round 3, Level 3 State Finalists