Student poets get published

Earlier this spring, Mrs. Rhonda Clark asked all of her eighth-grade writing students to select a poem from their writing portfolios or to write a new poem to be entered in a poetry contest. After reading approximately 125 poems, 79 poems were selected to be entered in a poetry contest strictly for young poets, sponsored by Creative Communications.

Of the 79 submitted entries, 53 eighth-grade entries have been selected to be published in an anthology titled, "A Celebration of Young Poets."

Not only have the students been awarded a certificate and a chance to be a published author, but all 79 students are still in pursuit of the coveted Top Ten Poet Award, which also comes with a cash prize.

Due to the success of our eighth-grade writers, JCMS was awarded Creative Communication's Poetic Achievement Award. This award is given to schools whose students' entries to the contest were of "exceptionally high merit." This award entitles the school to apply for a language arts grant to be awarded later this summer.

Creative Communications has been in the business of recognizing and rewarding outstanding writers for over ten years. The publication is due out later this summer, and the school library will have a copy for interested persons to peruse.

Winning entries were submitted by the following students: Sabrina Allen, Bailey Alsobrooks, Samantha Barrs, Carneshia Bell, Jay Bowers, Kayla Brackin, Malaikia Brantley, Taylor Brinson, Will Brinson, Tyrone Brown, Johnathan Carrie, Whitley Clark, Leann Claxton, Adrianna Cooper, Willona Cosby, Angel Cunningham, Tanisha Davis, Bettina Dunnum, CJ Elmore, Damon Elmore, Krysten Fail, Summer Flanagin, Krista Gay, Deyshon George, Jonathan Hall, Jessica Herrmann, Cody Johnson, Tiffany Johnson, Arkedus Kelly, Lakeisha Kelsey, Zandra Lake, Marvin London, Lavonte Lovette, Chiquita Reese, Alvina Roberts, Anthony Sea, Ashton Sherrod, Christopher Simmons, LaDeshia Simpkins, Sharnice Snelling, Rodriquez Stubbs, Ashley Thomas, Shuntrell Thomas, Shenice Thompson, Tabitha Trent, Ayana Walker, Billy Wilcox, Amanda Wilkerson, Colton Wilkerson, Shamara Williams, Margaret Woods, Kiandre Wright and Akeem Young.