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| By Sarah M. Corigliano Assistant Managing Editor EAST LONGMEADOW On May 5, members of the East Longmeadow library staff and this writer convened to help judge the East Longmeadow Library's Children's Poetry Contest. The contest, which was organized as an event to promote April as National Poetry Month, and which involved students in classrooms throughout the town, was split into three categories. Children's poems were grouped as follows: first and second graders; third and fourth graders; and fifth and sixth graders. While all entries were impressive in terms of their creativity, depth of thought and technical accuracy, only three winners could be selected. Each entrant received a prize from the library, but the top poet in each category received a special book. Winners in first through fourth grade received Please Bury Me in the Library by J. Patrick Lewis. The winner in the fifth and sixth grade category received Runny Babbit by Shel Silverstein. Judges were Connie Gallagher, Sharon Bellenoit and Sarah M. Corigliano. The poems were read aloud by Cynthia McNaught. Winners were: First and Second Grade Connor Loughman for "Sharks." Connor is a first grader at Meadowbrook School. Third and Fourth Grade Ashleigh Ayers for "E.L. Carnival." Ashleigh is a fourth grader at Mapleshade School. Fifth and Sixth Grade Emily K. Bliss for "Wonders." Emily is a sixth grader and his home-schooled. Runners up were: (the youngest poets had a tie) Meadowbrook first grader Amanda Drumheller for "Spring," and Meadowbrook first grader Anna Coombs for "The Little Bunny"; Mapleshade fourth grader Alla Pavlenko for "A Friend"; and Mountain View fifth grader Kimberlyn Austin for "Snow." Honorable mentions went to first and second graders Victoria Evans, Riley Foley, Patrick Guyer, Alison Phillips, Zachary Presta; third and fourth graders Danielle Brewer, Tom Burns, Samantha DiCosta, Nick Denno, Madison Donovan, Paige Dutko, Kyle Foley, Natalie Gaines, Jacob Grant, Mean Hearne, Joshua Holly, Octavia Kenney, Juliette Lajoie, Melissa McCarthy, Dan McGuill, Will Mansfield, Alaina Martin, David Melanson, Cody Minahan, Dan Myslinski, Casey Nicoll, Nick Nubile, Nick O'Brien, Brooke Pelletier, Nicole Robataille, Rudi Sheehan, Morgan Sibley, Mark Winslow, Rachael Zemanek, and Jack McIntyre and Tommy Hinchey; fifth and sixth graders Megan Flynn. Here are the three first-place poems: Sharks By Connor Loughman Sharks have sharp teeth, And they're someone I wouldn't want to meet. Sharks are neat, But eat lots of meat. I like sharks because they have 7 fins, They have them because they like to swim. I don't like sharks because they can be mean, They'll tear you apart; they'll make a big scene. But if you fight back, they might just leave. Sharks are cool, I wish I could bring one to school. E.L. Carnival By Ashleigh Ayers Neon lights Balance beam fights Fantastic food A joyous mood Giant swings A summer fling The best day ever I wish it was here forever! Wonders By Emily K. Bliss Wonders of the world Such as dreams And clouds Wonders of life Such as day And night Wonders of things long past Such as dinosaurs And prehistoric things So many wonders! |