Students honored for poetic efforts

Published 10:34 am Thursday, December 11, 2008

By Brenda Sexton-The Courier-Herald

&#8220Wake Up to Poetry” is emblazoned on the board in the community room at the Buckley library, and although it was late evening for those gathered there May 1, they were roused by the rhythm and rhyme of a talented group of fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students.

The Friends of the Buckley Library played host to a good-sized crowd of students, parents and friends, all gathered to celebrate poetry as part of a contest the group uses each year to encourage youngsters to take an interest in prose. The contest is open to fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students - public, private and homeschool - within the White River School District boundaries.

Greenwater children's author Joni Sensel selected the three top poems from each grade level. She read each of the 81 entries and commented on each.

&#8220I think it's important to encourage them,” she said.

According to Holly Smith, Buckley's children's librarian, it's the most entries since the program began three years ago, more than double the first year.

&#8220The poems were fun to read. We had a lot of great poems,” Smith said.

Sensel said there was one limerick, a half dozen Haiku, a number of free verse and some that she would categorize as &#8220casual rhyme.”

&#8220I was especially impressed with the fourth-grade poetry, in a lot of ways it was the best of the best,” Sensel said.

&#8220It was very difficult to do some of the judging,” Sensel said. &#8220It was enjoyable with lots of great images.”

The top three in each grade level received a book of poetry, a book bag, book marker and a certificate, all courtesy the Friends of the Buckley Library. They also read their work aloud to the gathered group.

Levi Doss, CarrieAnne Steele and Luke Nelson were the top three fourth-grade students selected to present their work. Doss' piece was titled &#8220Baseball.” Steele's work was called &#8220April Showers” and Nelson wrote about &#8220A Sunny Spring Day.”

Peyton Anderson, Kaitlin Miller and Meghan George were the fifth grade's top three. Anderson's poem was called &#8220Silent Words.” Miller's prose was titled &#8220My Baby Brother,” while George's entry was named &#8220Empty Skies of Destiny.”

The sixth-grade top three were: Jamie Meagher, &#8220Starry Skies;” Nora Gyswyt, &#8220Everything That's Me” and Courtney Upton, &#8220You Thought I Didn't Know.”

The Friends of the Buckley Library gather public support and encourage greater use of the library by sponsoring fund-raising events and assisting with programs offered at the library. Through the years, they have provided a variety of activities and contributed many useful pieces of equipment, for both the public and staff's use, as well as books and non-print materials for the branch.

Membership to the Friends is open to anyone in the community. For information call the library at 360-829-0300.

Brenda Sexton can be reached at bsexton@cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/courierherald.