Naperville teens recognized in local poetry contest

In celebration of National Poetry Month, Naperville teens submitted 180 original poems to the second annual Naperville Library Teen Poetry Contest. All the judges commented that this year's entrants were extremely talented. Also, the submissions showed a great understanding of poetry.

Naperville Public Library has announced the winners in various categories. Please recognize the winners and applaud their achievements.

In the 6^th grade division, the winners are: 1^st place - “The Farm” by Bruce Vandevender, Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School; 2^st place - “Waves” by Quentin Parmenter, Bethany Lutheran School; and 3^st place - “Persephone” by Mary Fosco, St. Raphael Catholic School. Honorable Mentions are: “The Mile” by  Ryan Ruocco, Washington Jr High School; “Sharks” by Claire Potter, Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School; “Help” by Mary Cate Mihalik, Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School; “Books” by Sydney Relihan , Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School; “Swinging for the Fences” by Jack Lapean, Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School; “If” by Alex Cooper , Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School; “Unique” by Aimee Guay, Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School, and “The Windy City” by Nolan O’Rear, Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School.

In the 7^th and 8^th grade division, the winners are: 1^st place - “How?!” by Michael Stern, Madison Jr. High School, 7^th grade; 2^nd place - “Music” by Sarah Balla, Bethany Lutheran School, 8^th grade;  and 3^rd place - “Predator” by Shehla Chowdhury, Hill Middle School, 8^th grade.  Honorable mentions are:

 “The Drumstick” by Mikey Williams, Madison Jr. High School, 7^th grade; “Wings” by Jadah Keith, Kennedy Jr. High School, 7^th grade; “Rebel” by Julia Ibsen, St. Francis Xavier Parish Middle School, 8^th grade; “Invisible” by Caitlin Ward, Bethany Lutheran School, 8^th grade; “Pirates Dream Too” by Alexandra Sapiega, Lincoln Jr. High School, 7^th grade, and “There’s a Zombie on Your Lawn” by John Hattas, Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School, 8^th grade,.

In the high school division, the winners are: 1^st place – “The Old Woman Who Goes to My Church” by Meghedi Tamazian, Neuqua Valley High School, 9^th grade; 2^nd place - “I Miss You: Words from the Past, Present and Future” by Ray Hilger, St. Francis High School, 12^th grade; and 3^rd place - “The Sky May Be Gray” by Evangeline Reid, Benet Academy, 11^th grade. Honorable Mentions are: “The Unspoken Truth” by Christine Ramirez, Neuqua Valley High School, 9^th grade, and “My Art Teacher” by Hannah Zeeb, Naperville Central High School, 12^th grade.