At the end of April, Langston Hughes Middle School held an after school award ceremony for the annual poetry contest. Approximately 80 poems by students were entered in this year’s annual poetry contest, and winners were announced. The contest, sponsored by Northwest Federal Credit Union (NWFCU) and the school’s PTA, offered students an arena to express ideas poetically. Representing NWFCU was Nicolette Watkins. “It has been a wonderful opportunity for the credit union to work with this school,” said Watkins.
“We’re so proud of all our students here at Hughes,” said Hughes Principal Aimee Monticchio. “They show dynamic range in their writing far beyond their years.” Representing the PTA at the event was Sumi Vintimilla. ”I was impressed with the profound potential of the poets,” said eighth grade teacher Bob Dopko. “I think it was handled beautifully,” said seventh grade teacher Hannah Prince. “This event was months in planning and we agreed cash prizes were a good prize.”
Reston author and poetry contest coordinator Norman Barry Carver announced the winners of the contest, which was judged by students in the International Baccalaureate program at South Lakes High School. Tim Johnson, resident of Alexandria, also attended the event and encouraged all the young people present to get in the habit of writing or making journals. Johnson also brought a chocolate cake to the event.
After the awards were handed out, Carver congratulated all the contest participants. “You have done really done something by being artistic, what will you do tomorrow?” asked Carver. Student participants were then invited to read their poems. “It is very exciting that they came forward to recite their work,” said local resident Fabiana Cesa.
First place prize was awarded to student Chelsea Le Sage for her poem “Where Have You Gone?” Sarah Mamros won second place for her work “Shine Through the Darkness.” Other winners who placed in the contest were Johnny Norton, Ethan Spira, Talia Makarov, Elizabeth Shaw, Nicole Eubanks, Margaret Vicheck, Yesenia Roman-Longoria, Louise Singer, Carolina Torres and Maeve Keck.