2009 Poetry Contest

“REFLECTIONS ON RIVERSIDE” ANNOUNCES
POETRY WINNERS

Each April, in celebration of National Poetry Month and the advent of spring in Riverside, the Frederick Law Olmsted Society sponsors its “Reflections on Riverside” Student Poetry Contest. The contest, which is open to local elementary and junior high school students, challenges students to reflect upon Riverside’s natural areas and convey their impressions in poetic form.

This year, 56 students from five area schools participated in the contest. A panel of seven judges scored the entries independently. Olmsted Society President Kim Jacobs and program chair Aberdeen Marsh-Ozga presented the awards during the last week of school at ceremonies throughout Riverside.

All aspiring poets received certificates of recognition. The following elementary school winners received framed certificates together with prizes of cash and/or Aunt Diana’s homemade fudge:

Ames
1st place: Samantha Miezio, 4th grade, Olmsted’s Plan for Riverside
2nd place: Mac Catrambone, 4th grade, Birds of Riverside

Blythe Park
1st place: Molly Gates, 4th grade, Big Ball Park
2nd place: Erin Grehan, 4th grade, Living Thing

Central
1st place: Skye Ozga, 3rd grade, River
2nd place: David Pribyl-Pierdinock, 5th grade, Riverside in Spring

St. Mary
1st place: Luci Siliunas, 4th grade, Down by the River
2nd place: Chloe Mc Kinley, 5th grade, Journey of a Traveler: Peace Haven

This year’s winner of the Junior High School Division is Becky Warner (6th grade) of St. Mary School for her poem titled, Nature Lover.

While we’ll give you a sneak preview of this year’s winners (click on the titles, above), please note that the long awaited publication of all Reflections on Riverside entries to date is coming to fruition. A bound volume spanning 2007, 2008 and 2009 will be appearing this fall in the Olmsted Room of the Riverside Public Library. Special thanks to Janice Fisher and Dorothy Sikora for their resourcefulness, advice and encouragement on this publication. Please stop by the Olmsted Room and check it out!