We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible achievements of Sowers Middle School students in the 2025 Why Mom Deserves a Diamond poetry contest. This special competition invites young writers to express their love and appreciation for their mothers through the art of poetry—and this year, Jr. Vikings truly made their mark.

A student has won the contest's highest honor for the first time in Huntington Beach City School District (HBCSD) history! Seventh-grader Braelyn M. [picture: Braelyn's Mother (left), Braelyn (second from left),  Mr. Dennis Bond (second from right), Mr. Smith (right)] has been named the Grand Prize winner, a distinction awarded to just one student out of thousands of entries. Her powerful words earned her mother a dazzling ¼-carat diamond, a symbol of the strength and brilliance captured in her poem:

Colors blaze like sunset skies
Strength like tidal waves that rise
Love, a warmth from fire’s glow
A heart that always knows.

Braelyn’s achievement was part of a larger celebration, as Sowers Middle School had an outstanding presence in the contest—83 students were recognized across all three top categories, with many earning First Place (Amethyst winners) and Second Place (Garnet winners).

This is a testament to the dedication and creativity of our students and the guidance of their teacher, Mr. Dennis Bond, who has also been honored as a “Diamond Teacher.”

A special recognition ceremony was held on February 11 at the Gallery of Diamonds in Santa Ana, where Braelyn recited her winning poem in front of Sowers staff, District leaders, and her family before presenting her mother with the cherished diamond. The event was a true celebration of love, creativity, and the power of words to make a lasting impact. Congratulations to all our Sowers students who participated.