This I Believe, for the past ten years, has been a space to celebrate student writers. Students are given the same prompt every year, “This I Believe….” but as they grow and reflect on their time in high school, their thought processes change. Having them write these pieces year after year gives them time to deliberate and allows them to find new pieces of themselves as they live and they learn. Allowing students to showcase not only their work, but their belief systems, creates a space for them to be seen, supported, and heard. 

The night itself is one where people gather to listen to the voices of the youth, followed by the provided snacks and drinks. There will be performances beside the classic reading of the essays, like a song performed by a band consisting of Delphi Community High School students. In prior years, there have been four chosen winners of the contest, per grade. However, some changes have been made, and now, there will only be three winners, but the runner up serving as an alternate. 

The winners are as follows:

Freshman

1st: Kinleigh Brown

2nd: Cayden Smothers

3rd: Leo Hernandez

Sophomores

1st: Addison Duff

2nd: Courtney Nelson

3rd: Jose Gonzalez

Juniors

1st: Makayla Webb

2nd: Zack Castillo

3rd: Sophie Jarrell

Seniors

1st: Araceli Durm

2nd: Keygan Elliot

3rd: Owen Broadstreet

Congratulations to all of the winners! If you are interested in seeing their essays read aloud, with a performance from local band, Out of Mind, and a student-produced video, join us on March 10th, 2026 at 6:30! The event will take place at the Delphi Opera House.