Judges' Choices for the 2008 Readers As Writers Competition

Over 360 entries were received in this year's Readers as Writers Contest. It was a difficult task, but the outside judges have made their final decisions. A total of 120 entries received First Place Awards and will be published in the 2008 anthology, Chasing Dreams. Sixty-three entries were selected for Second Place Honorable Mention. Although the Honorable Mentions will not be published in the anthology, these entries will be acknowledged in Chasing Dreams with the winners' names and the names of the entries. All of the Winners and their instructors will be honored at the Readers as Writers Reception on May 6. Invitations are in the mail.

Please notify Ginny Balistreri at 414-297-6794 (balistrv@matc.edu) as soon as possible if your name or your students' names have been misspelled. They will appear in the RAW anthology - Chasing Dreams - as they appear in these lists. Corrections must be submitted no later than April 16, 2008. Thank you and Congratulations!

2008 First Place Winners
First Name MI  Last Name City State Entry Teacher
Angelica Aguilar DePere WI Where Are Your Parents? Heather Hill
Fatmeh Alomari Oak Creek WI An Unforgettable Moment Darlene Jaskoviak
Sandra Aldaco Oak Creek WI Beautiful Wisconsin Karen Moreau
Mahindokht Amidi Greenfield WI Why? Alex Borchardt
Vanessa Arenas Hales Corners, WI Getting a Visa Gary Krukar
Tatiana Bialova Wauwatosa WI Coming to the U.S. Gary Krukar
Sisavangone Bouasy Milwaukee WI Coming to America Nora Dahl
Lora L. Brockman North Freedom WI Body Language Kathie Faivre
Teresa Camarillo Milwaukee WI The Posadas Karen Moreau
Walter Cavero Milwaukee WI Lifestyles Darlene Jaskoviak
Maria Cisneros Milwaukee WI My Immigrant Experience Gary Krukar
Shantel S. Clark Milwaukee, WI Hope Does Live Vonnie de Cleene
Corey Collins Racine WI Addiction is Not a Disease Jim Crain
Tamara R. Cordova Appleton, WI Let Him Take Over Susan Hunsader
Lourdes Cortes Milwaukee WI A Passage From My Life Alex Borchardt
Darwin Giron New Lisbon WI Future Hope Ms. Christensen
Alfred P. Davis Beloit WI It's Never Too Late to Learn Mary Johnson
Ross Eisenga New Richmond WI Letter of Apology Ms. N. Harnisch
Korena F. Ferreira Milwaukee WI Choosing the Right Path Jenifer Finley
George E. Fischer Oregon WI The War Will Stream On Mariana Ruprecht
Audrey Fraylong Milwaukee WI It's Easy to Take People for Granted Jill Snider
Karina Frias de Diaz Green Bay WI Karina's Journal Pat Hinckley
Nance Fuentes Green Bay WI The Special Boy Pat Hinckley
Robyn Garcia Milwaukee, WI My Beliefs Sr. Sharon Stecker
Tiera Gates Milwaukee WI Tiera's Courage Janet Nortrom
Daniel R. Glasgow Brodhead, WI Things I Like to Do Maggie Bunderson
Dilek Gungor Milwaukee WI Children's Holiday Darlene Jaskoviak
Koua Neng Her Milwaukee, WI My Story Nora Dahl
Toua Her Milwaukee WI A Moment of Life in the Past Nora Dahl
Barbara A. Hodges Chippewa Falls, WI The Greatest Change in My Life Barbara Walk and Patty Hare
Earl V. Holsten, Jr. Wisconsin Dells WI First Born Son Cheri Ross
Charles Hudson Milwaukee, WI My Heart Transplant Douglas Vue
Irena Ivic Milwaukee, WI Essentials for Human Life Karen Moreau
Desha Marie James Milwaukee, WI Mama Wants to Tell You Something Vonnie de Cleene
Ingrid Jensen Oak Creek, WI A Life Threatening Disease Darlene Jaskoviak
Antonio Johnson Waupun, WI The Rose Who Loved a Bee Laurie Crescio
Julie A. Johnson Milwaukee, WI A Quest Out of Stress Vonnie de Cleene
Kwihwa S. Johnson Milwaukee, WI My Turning Point Joyce Kindsfater
Peter D. Jones New Richmond WI This Christmas at C.I.P. Ms. Remmers
Valesa S. Kazee Milwaukee, WI Exploring a City of Urban Diversity Mary A. Tamsen
Barbara Killebrew Milwaukee, WI Why I Returned to School Suzanne Lorentz
Bobbi L. Kleemann Milwaukee, WI Through the Eyes of a Military Family Janet Nortrom
Bobbi L. Kleemann Milwaukee, WI Journey for Love, March for Life Janet Nortrom
Edmund Kostrzewski Footville, WI Living As An Immigrant Worker Valeria Pakes
Por Ye Lao Milwaukee, WI Being A Political Refugee Gary Krukar
Marquise Lawrence Milwaukee, WI The Fast Lanes Steven Shea
Michelle N. Legener Franklin, WI Moment James Kennedy, Annie Jones, Dave Peters, Donna Hietpas
Michelle N. Legener Franklin, WI Dave James Kennedy, Annie Jones, Dave Peters, Donna Hietpas
Youa Lor Madison, WI I'm Still Alive Carole Doeppers
Maria G. Luciano Milwaukee, WI Taking the Opportunity to Study Diane Steigerwald
Cathy Maccari Milwaukee, WI My Experience at Literacy Services Karen Horst
Guadalupe G. Macias Milwaukee, WI Different Times Diane Steigerwald
Shanelli Madding Beloit, WI An Ordinary Day Made Special Mary Johnson
Jose M. Madrigal Milwaukee, WI My Life in the United States Diane Steigerwald
Carlos Martinez Milwaukee, WI A Part of Oaxaca Diane Steigerwald
Diana I. Martinez Milwaukee, WI Teenage Mom Diane Steigerwald
LaSandra Mathies Milwaukee, WI Special Elizabeth Miler
Delores A. McFerson Milwaukee, WI Why? Holly Thielen
Peter McGreck Oshkosh, WI Viruses of the Mind Peter Garetson
Sahodia McNutt Milwaukee WI Double Dutch, My Favorite Sport Elizabeth Miler
Guillermo Mendoza Milwaukee, WI A Birthday to Remember Rita McDonald
Jean Mezera Eastman, WI Magic Fabreic Chris Foley
Erica Mitchell Milwaukee, WI Are Any of Us Safe? Judy Salinsky
Beata Morawski Milwaukee, WI The Long and Short of It Sister Arline Jaeger, SSND
Mousa Tajj Mousa Milwaukee, WI An Iraqi Mother Gail Ellsworth
Mary a. Nichols Milwaukee, WI If There Were a Brighter Day Tomorrow Jeanette Wieland
Chung Kim Nowak Waukesha WI Learning is Forever Mary Jacobson
Ana Nunez Green Bay, WI Hector's Life Robyn Hallet
Peggy Padgett Waukesha, WI The Eagle Bette Winkler
Li Pan Wauwatosa, WI Life as a New Immigrant Gary Krukar
Maria H. Pena Milwaukee, WI Computers are Important Cynthia L. Zarazua
Silver L. Perez Milwaukee, WI Who Was I at Seventeen? Diane Steigerwald
Pairin Popa Franklin, WI Unforgettable Moments Darlene Jaskoviak
Samuel F. Petrusch Oshkosh, WI My Tribute to the Troops Peter Garetson
Alfredo Ponce Milwaukee, WI A Best Friend Eileen Marotte
Fernando Ponce Green Bay, WI Childhood Memory Heather Hill
Marcus Y-Dell Porter Winnebago WI Chasing Dreams Tom Mohelnitzky
Jose A. Quezada Milwaukee, WI September 16 in Mexico Diane Steigerwald
Ivelisse Quinones Franklin, WI My Auntie Jenifer Finley
Maria Raspaldo Milwaukee, WI I Wonder Joyce Kindsfater
Andres Reina Greenfield, WI My Immigration Experience Gary Krukar
Claudia Reyes Milwaukee, WI A Tribute to My Grandfather Rita McDonald
Erick Rosas Rojas South Milwaukee, WI Puebla City Karen Moreau
Adelina Saibulu Milwaukee, WI My Life in the United States Douglas Vue
Mone Samounty Milwaukee, WI Making a Tobacco Garden Cynthia Zarazua
Francisco Sanchez Milwaukee, WI My Life in the U.S. Rita McDonald
Donald J. Sayre Ladysmith, WI I'm Sorry Nancy Wheeler
Jonathan Serrano Green Bay, WI The Real Challenge Heather Hill
David Shaw Chicago, IL Love Is… Marianna Ruprecht
Christopher L. Shelton Oshkosh, WI Eternity in Two Directions Peter Garetson
Zoraida M. Silva Green Bay, WI The Destiny Heather Hill
Chantal H. Tatro Oak Creek, WI Life is Like a…. Sandra Garcia
Scott W. Taylor Oshkosh, WI Falling Rocks Peter Garetson
Scott W. Taylor Oshkosh, WI My Recollection Peter Garetson
Oua Thao My Jobs in Thailand Diane Withers
Dwight Thomas Racine, WI Hope:  Turning Around Leilani Bento
Edwin Torres Milwaukee, WI Technology:  It's Amazing! Christy Breihan and May Xiong
Lorid Turner Milwaukee, WI Why I Choose to Work Julie Toperzer
Cynthia Tyler Milwaukee, WI Cry Elizabeth Miler
Luis Valenzuela Milwaukee, WI A Positive Message from an Unlikely Place Christy Breihan and May Xiong
Houa Vang Milwaukee, WI My Autobiography Douglas Vue
Ti Vang LaCrosse, WI My Village in the Old Place Diane Withers
Donald J. Veerkamp Appleton, WI My Escape Pearlann
Lourdes Vega Milwaukee, WI Violence Joyce Kindsfater
Carolina Vera Green Bay, WI Moving to the United States Heather Hill
Dorota Waga Greenfield, WI The Place Where I Always Want to Return Barbara Downs
Elizabeth K. Wah Milwaukee, WI Hope in Harmony Jon Gilgenbach
Cory Welch Waupun, WI Vindication Wayne Fix
Tracey T. Williams Milwaukee WI A Special Someone Sue Sterling
Whitney J. Williams Milwaukee, WI I Am Who I Am Douglas Vue
Timothy A. Wineland, II New Richmond, WI Picture This! Ms. Remmers
David Woolfolk, Jr. Milwaukee, Wi Man in the Middle of the Road Janet Nortrom
Fangzhou (Noah) XU New Berlin, WI The Value of Being Multicultural Gary Krukar
Ying Hu Wauwatosa, WI The Moon Is As Bright As Always Gary Krukar
Lkhagva Dulam Zankl Port Washington, WI The Sweet, Cute, Funny Twin Girls Jodi Miskowiec
Danielle C. Zdeb Wausau, WI I Finally Found the Light Ronda Zastrow
Mariola Zieba New Berlin, WI Three Wishes Karen Murawski
2008 Honorable Mentions
First Name Last Name City State Entry Agency Instructor
Christina A. Allman Adams, WI Does this Seem Fair? Adams Center-Adams Jail Program Alexis Tenpas/Cheri Ross
Eural L. Archer Milwaukee WI From County Boy to City Man SER-Jobs for Progress Christy Breihan & May Xion
Thein Aye Cudahy, WI About My Life MATC-Oak Creek Campus Alex Borchardt
Monica Barquet Appleton WI A Missed Birthday Even Start Family Literacy Kris Clouthier
Marisela Barrios Milwaukee, WI True Friends MATC-Oak Creek Campus Barbara Downs
Ralph B. Barron Milwaukee WI Six Decades Ago Council for the Spanish Speaking Diane Steigerwald
Barbara A. Black Fond du Lac WI My Friend Brooke Industries Sue Berg
Biljana Bojanic-Savic Greenfield, WI My Immigration Experience MATC-West AllisCampus Gary Krukar
David Bryan Stanley WI Handguns: Should They Be Legal or Illegal Stanley Correctional Institution Laurie Prochnow
Brandon Byrnes Racine, WI Endangered Soup Racine Youthful Offenders C.I. Kay George
Lysette M. Colon Milwaukee WI Someone Else MATC-Main Campus Douglas Vue
Titus A. Coulter, Sr. Milwaukee WI A Letter to My Daddy Adult Learning Center Elizabeth Miller
Jose A. Cruz Milwaukee WI Time Flies Milwaukee Achiever Literacy Services Sr. Helen Wagner
Audrey Dahl Milwaukee WI Fifty-Five Redgranite Correctional Institution Wendy Legraves
James L Davis Redgranite WI The Vanishing Documents Redgranite Correctional Institution James Abig
James L Davis Redgranite WI The Three Roles of Life Redgranite Correctional Institution James Abig
Jones Decorah Prairie du Chien WI I Thank You Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution Martha Bartz
Thi Kim Loan Dinh Greendale WI My Most Fascinating City MATC-Oak Creek Campus Karen Moreau
Thi Tran Duc Milwaukee WI Let's Go Step-by-Step International Learning Center Nora Dahl
Jacqueline M. Earsley Milwaukee WI Taking Care of Our Needs SER-Jobs for Progress Christy Breihan & May Xion
Mary Kay Fleischman Fond du Lac Wi I'm Lilly the Rocking Chair Fond du Lac Adult Literacy Services Elizabeth Edgarton
Lilliam E. Gellches West Allis WI Never Give Up Hope The Spanish Center Joyce Kindsfater
Timothy L. Green Waupun, WI We All Should Be Concerned Marshland School - Waupun C.I. Wayne Fix
Timothy L. Green Waupun, WI From A Son Marshland School - Waupun C.I. Wayne Fix
Josephine Gutierrez Milwaukee WI Things Learned The Spanish Center Joyce Kindsfater
Emmanuel Hamilton Waupun, WI Darkest Days Marshland School - Waupun C.I. David Travis
Tatiana Yurievna Homolka Oak Creek WI Changing Lifestyles MATC-Oak Creek Campus Darlene Jaskoviak
Irena Ivic Milwaukee WI Essentials for Human Life MATC-Oak Creek Campus Karen Moreau
Nicole Q, King Milwaukee WI I Can Do It Milwaukee Achiever Literacy Services Vonnie DeCleene
Johnathan LeFlore Milwaukee WI My Work Experience MATC-Main Campus Douglas Vue
Rebecca Anne Lancster Grand Marsh, WI Beautiful Academic Support Center-Adams Jail Program Alexis Tenpas/Cheri Ross
Kaoseng Lee LaCrosse WI The Mornings in Thailand Western Technical College Diane Withers
Xiaoyin (Amy) Liu Milwaukee WI Rapid Change in China Milwaukee Achiever Literacy Services Sr. Helen Wagner
Neng Chang Lor Milwaukee WI My Life International Learning Center Nora Dahl
Dawn L. Malecki Franklin WI Honorable Judge House of Correction/MATC Jenifer Finley
Maimuna Manneh Greenfield WI Reducing Crime in the Community Literacy Services of Wisconsin Cynthia L. Zarazua
Veronica McDade Milwaukee WI About Me and My Beautiful Daughter MATC-Main Campus Douglas Vue
Wyatt T. Myer Prairie du Chien WI A Preceived Perceptual Opinion Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution Martha Bartz
Gordon Murphy Greendale WI I Love You, Mom MATC-Oak Creek Campus Sandra Garcia
Ashutosh Jaya Pandey Milwaukee WI My Best Friend, Lord Krishna International Learning Center Nora Dahl
Raquel Rodriguez Green Bay WI My Family Literacy Green Bay, Inc. Robyn Hallet
Roberto Romero Milwaukee WI My Immigrant Experience MATC-West Campus Gary Krukar
Veronica Ruvalcaba Oak Creek WI Fidel Gonzalez MATC-Oak Creek Campus Gail Ellsworth
Nicole Rynes Franklin WI Do You Have A Goal? House of Correction Jennifer Finley
Gregorio Sandoval Milwaukee WI Working Hard to Make a Good Life UMOS/MATC
Michael J. Schmimmel Wausau, WI Why Didn't I? Northcentral Technical College Marianna Ruprecht
Shaun E. Sauer Prairie du Chien WI This Is My World Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution Martha Bartz
Travis Stevens Milwaukee WI An Unforgettable Experience: Getting Shot MATC- Main Campus Janet Nortrom
Meinardo Suarez Beloit WI Music as Therapy Blackhawk Technical College Mary Johnson
Annie Tally Milwaukee WI Chain of Love Dominican Center for Women, Inc. Sr. Elise Zettel, SSND
Patrice Taylor Milwaukee WI Animals and People Repairers of the Breach Learning Ctr. Kay Augustine
Dwight T. Thomas Racine WI Good Things Warren Young School-RYOCF Leilani Bento
Chie Tokunaga Green Bay WI My U.S. Travels Literacy Green Bay, Inc. Pat Hinckley
Jerry Vang Wausau WI Growing Up Wausau Fresh Start Jill Literski
Pang Uia Vang LaCrosse WI Life Struggles in Thailand Western Technical College Diane Withers
Zaag Vang Milwaukee WI My Story International Learning Center Nora Dahl
Khang Xiong Wausau WI Sports Wausau Fresh Start Jill Literski
Thao Pao Xiong LaCrosse WI Poor, But Happy Western Technical College Diane Withers
Thue Xiong LaCrosse WI History of Hmong Immigrants Western Technical College Diane Withers
Xang Xiong LaCrosse WI Life of People in the World Western Technical College Diane Withers
Gina Yonkoski St. Francis WI Did I Really See Something International Learning Center Nora Dahl
Anthony Zierahn Franklin, WI Stereo Un-typical Taylor County Jail Program Tina Dietzman