Categories:
Sophomore – ages 7–10
Junior – ages 11–15
Senior – ages 16–21
Alternate Assessment – students with non-traditional matriculation records
* The Alternate Assessment category refers to students whose participation in their general statewide assessment program (testing in math, science and language arts) is not appropriate, even with accommodations. Academic expectations are written specifically for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
2022
Seniors:
First Place – Brennan Lamarra, Huntington Beach, Calif. (*also the grand prize winner), review of “The Debaters”
Second Place – Katelyn Davis, Huntington Beach, Calif., review of “Against the Odds: The Rise of Mary Fisher”
Juniors:
First Place – Jurnee Rust, Grand Forks, N.D., review of “Dog Trainer”
Second Place – Tateana Simpson, Grand Forks, N.D., review of “Kindness Counts”
Sophomores:
First Place – Aaron Martel, Richardson, Tex., review of “Archie the Brave”
Second Place – Achilleus Budgen, Huntington Beach, Calif., review of “The Case of the Missing Day”
2021
Grand Prize Winner: Bennett Lehman, Jefferson, Wis., review of “Science Nation: Virtual Reality Fires”
Senior Category
First Place – Nicky Lentz, Philadelphia, Pa., review of “Algebra: A Piece of Cake, Part 1”
Second Place – Kiley McClain, Philadelphia, Pa., review of “Cotton”
Third Place – Angie Rodriguez, Vancouver, Wash., review of “Mandela: A Long Walk to Freedom”
Junior Category
First Place – Bennett Lehman, Jefferson, Wis., review of “Science Nation: Virtual Reality Fires”
Second Place – Nawal Mohamud, St. Paul, Minn., review of “Bee Movie”
Third Place – Mari Maxon, Syracuse, N.Y., review of “Mayans: Deception by Temple Rituals”
Sophomore Category
First Place – Keaton Hamilton, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, review of The Mandalorian: Chapter 2, “The Child”
2020
Grand Prize Winner: Mina Lamarra – Huntington Beach High School, Huntington Beach, CA - Review of Curiosity Quest: Guide Dogs
2019
Grand Prize Winner: John Xander Holstein, Romney, W.Va., review of “Snowflake Bentley and Voyage to Mars”
Seniors
First Place – Michael Gast, South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Aberdeen, S.D. – Review of “Sister Act 2”
Second Place – Kimberly Drudge, Goochland High School, Goochland, Va. – Review of “America’s Symbols”
Third Place – Alyssa Spillum, North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind, Grand Forks, N.D. – Review of “Work Ethic: A Commitment to Work”
Juniors
First Place – John Xander Holstein, Romney, W.Va., review of “Snowflake Bentley and Voyage to Mars”
Second Place – Edward Freer, Grand Forks, N.D., review of “My Brand New Life: Ballet Dancer/Hockey Player”
Sophomores
First Place – Hunter Knotts, Romney, W.Va., review of “The Magic School Bus: In a Pickle”
Second Place – Wyatt Kuncl, Romney, W.Va., review of “The Magic School Bus: Cold Feet”
Third Place – Noel Marinaccio, Romney, W.Va., review of “The Magic School Bus: Works Out”
* Alternate Assessment Category:
First Place – Hayden Miller, West Virginia School for the Blind, Romney, W.Va. – Review of “The Night Before Christmas”
2018
Grand Prize Winner: Townsend Stemple – West Virginia School for the Blind-Romney, WV – Review of “Moko: The Snow’s Fury and Healing With Animals”
2017
Grand Prize Winner: Abigail Moreno - Lowell High School-San Francisco, CA – Review of “Faith, My Story About Being Confident”
YDFC – Young Described Film Critic Contest
2011
First Place – Chante Richardson, El Paso, TX (University of Texas at El Paso) for her review of “Beauty and the Briefcase”
2009
First Place - Cricket Bidleman, San Diego, CA (Sunset View Elementary School) for her review of “101 Dalmatians”