Last year, students at Northwestern Middle School submitted poetry for Pine Tree Poetry's second annual poetry contest, a nationwide competition that challenged kindergarten through high school students to write a poem on their favorite subject for review and publishing consideration. Fourteen students from Northwestern Middle School submitted a written piece, and eight of them were selected to have their poetry published in the Pine Tree Poetry 2007 Collection.
Catherine Massey, the school’s media specialist, had been teaching a reference and research class about poetry, and she realized that many of her students had a strong interest in poetry.
"Their final assignment was to write a poem, so when I learned about this poetry contest, I submitted their work for recognition," Massey said. "I am so proud of the work these students have done and excited that their work is being recognized in such a positive way."
An overwhelming number of submissions were received from schools across the country. A group of editors read every submission and chose the best ones from all grade levels to include in Pine Tree Poetry Collection.
The following students and their poems were selected for publication:
Briel Quiannque Tashay Williams, My Dad Lenard W. Cross, Sr.
DeVaughn Bratcher, Our Flag
Deandre Denardo Kinlaw, The Library
Darius DeAngelo Harley, My Sports
Aaliyah Shanell Cooper, The Ballerina
Emone D. Tyler-Addison, Nobody
Terron Blackshear, Life of Basketball
Ra'isha M. Clark, Cute Flowers
Ms. Massey said that her students will be entering the poetry contest again this year.
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