More than 90 students submitted poems to the contest and 12 read their works to an audience of board members, parents, teachers, peers and poetry lovers. Students of all ages, from kindergarten through tenth grade, entered one of four categories -- elementary, K through two; elementary, three through five; middle school; and high school -- by writing their own original poem based on this year's theme, "My Favorite Hobby."
First-, second- and third-prize winners were selected from each of the four categories. The subject matter ranged from reflections of time spent in the great outdoors to memorable sporting events.
"Poetry is a great way for children and teens to express their thoughts, feelings and emotions. We were thrilled to have so many quality entries this year. It was also wonderful to experience topics that matter in the contestants lives, such as travel, music, sports and family," said Louis Parks, president of the Friends.
The winners are as follows:
Elementary K through Grade Two: First place, Tanya Verma, Bronxville School with "Dark Sky Light;" second place, Megha Verma, Bronxville School with "Playing;" and third place, Alexander Dallendorfer, Bronxville School with "Shipwreck."
Elementary Grades Three through Five: First place, Julia Perry, Bronxville School with "Fall;" second place, Julie Wider, Bronxville School with "Family;" and third place, Tony Tao-Guerrero, Bronxville School with "Gymnast."
Middle school: First place, Claire Chao, Chapel School with "Dreaming;" second place, Katie Gebbia, Chapel School with "Forgetting Something;" and third place, Ingrid Krawiec, Chapel School with "Rolling Through the Seasons," as well as Connor Tinson, Chapel School with "The Winning Goal."
High school: First place, Olivia Chappello, Bronxville School with "Written as an ode to 'Invictus' by William Earnest Henley;" second place, Sasha Ircha, Bronxville School with "Vieux Quebec" and third place, Michael Landy, Bronxville School with "Love of the Game."
Click here to follow Daily Voice Bronxville and receive free news updates.