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| By Michelle Symington MetroWest Reminder Assistant Editor WEST SPRINGFIELD Last year's poetry contest for local children was so successful, the Youth Services Department at the West Springfield Public Library decided to host one again this year. "There was such a surprising turnout last year," said Terri Mitus, assistant children's librarian. Because it was the first year for the contest she said she wondered how it would go and whether or not it would be successful. "The amount of kids who submitted [poems] was tremendous," she said. She explained that she and Diane Ramsay, the children's librarian, were trying to come up with an activity for National Library Week and since April is National Poetry Month, they decided to host a poetry contest for children. Mitus said they decided to "wing it" to see if the audience would be interested. She added that some programs "fly and some don't" with the children. "I saw surprised at the draw and the enthusiasm," Mitus said. "I did not realize we had so many budding poets out there." She added that she was also surprised at the quality and creativeness of the children's poems. "I really look forward to this year," she said. This year's contest begins on March 1, with poems being accepted through April 15. The contest is separated into two categories children in grades four through six and children in grade seven and up with a first, second and third place winner in each category. Mitus said that there are no restrictions on what children can write about. "Kids can write about whatever they want," she said. "I did not want to guide what they are writing." Many of the poems submitted last year were from local students in classrooms that were working on poetry at the time. Mitus said that many of the poems had the same theme last year because they were from students in the same class. However, she added that any child can write a poem about any topic for the contest. "The contest gives them a forum to express themselves, a safe forum and a creative forum where they can learn from others," she said, adding that the contest is also a rewarding forum. She said that she hopes the children who participated last year will feel comfortable and encouraged to do it again. "I am hoping it will be a positive experience for them," she said. In addition to the poetry contest, the Children's Department will host a poetry reading April 18, during which the winners of the contest will be announced. Anyone who would like to read one of their poems at the reading are encouraged to do so, whether or not they entered the contest, Mitus said. She added that she hopes children who enter the contest will want to read their poems. Last year, many children read their poems during the reading. Some children, who were too scared to read their poems, had their parents or a friend read it for them. Mitus said, for some children, it is a matter of comfort once they see some children read their poem, they may feel more comfortable reading theirs. New to this year's contest is a guest judge. Mitus said that Linda Porter, editor of Pine Island Journal of New England Poetry, will be the judge of the contest. Mitus said Porter spends a lot of time at the West Springfield Library. Mitus said Porter may also read one of her published poems the night of the poetry reading to kick it off. The April 18 poetry reading will take place at 7 p.m. at the library. The prizes that will be awarded include a $25 gift card for first place; a journal for second place; and a nice quality gel pen for third place. Mitus said she is looking forward to a good turnout for the contest and encourages the young poets to turn in their poems early. |