Elmhurst Students Become Published Poets

ELMHURST, IL - Several Elmhurst students have become published poets. The district said earlier this spring, fourth and fifth grade REACH English Language Arts students at Hawthorne School entered two poetry contests, a national one sponsored by Creative Communications and the Elmhurst Public Library's poetry contest.

Three poets were selected as winners of the Friends of the Library contest, which was awarded Friday, April 28. In addition, 26 poets were selected to be published in Creative Communication's anthology, A Celebration of Poets.

Ava Passarelli, Tyler Melind and Sophia Brown were named Friends of the Elmhurst Public Library poetry winners.

Creative Communications published poets include: Libby Donaldson, Jamie Fulco, Maeve Gibbs, Alexa Klein, Zhihanna Liu, Rachel Manganaro, Meredith Baker, Sophia Brown, Julia Hessling, Sam Kapotas, Jack Kevin, Lilianna Leischner, Tyler Melind, Jane Marlott, Anna McGrail, Evan Hickman, Ava Passarelli, Nick Daleanes, Ames Puckett, Jonathon Szala, John SanFilippo, Gio Santoro, Niko Stathopoulos, Charlotte Damewood, Joey Rinchiuso and Max Wickenkamp.

According to a release, the fourth grade poems were all written as Shakespearean sonnets, while the fifth grade poems were based on themes studied this year. All include such poetic elements as simile, metaphor, alliteration, personification and imagery. Read the poems here.

Photo provided by District 205.