There’s a school competition that happens at AJMS every year in January called Animo Voices. This competition is meant to give students an opportunity to express their talents.
Animo Voices is a writing, art and spoken word competition for all the schools in Green Dot that started in 2017. The founders of the competition, which included literacy specialists and donors, wanted students to express their creativity and have their work be seen by others.
These people, along with teachers here at Animo Jefferson, believed in amplifying student voices, encouraging them to see their own talents and celebrate every student’s work.
Students in the past from JMS have placed in the top three overall in Green Dot in both the writing and spoken word competitions.
“We’ve had students win the writing contest. Many students have placed in the top three places,” Mr Finer said. “Also, one of the students that participated in the competition placed multiple times in the top three in the spoken word competition.”
Every year, students would join the competition when recommended by teachers who find their talents cool and unique.
“I joined the competition because I wanted to show and tell anyone that it’s possible and anyone could do it,” one of the school winners of 2026, seventh grader Ariel Casas said. “Ms. Jocelyne was there to help me prepare for the competition. When I won the competition and had my work published to the school’s website, I was happy and excited for anyone to see my work.”
Not only that but AJMS teachers supported students with preparing their work before it was time to submit.
“I joined the competition because of having good grades for writing. Students and teachers recommended that I join the competition that’s coming up,” the other school winner of 2026, sixth grader Nelly Rodriguez, said. “Mr. Finer helped me prepare for the competition. When I won the competition and had my work published on the school website, I was shocked when I saw my work on the school website and I didn’t expect to win.”
