And The Winners Are …

The expression “It takes a village to raise a child” is arguably overused to the point of losing its meaning, but those are exactly the words that came to mind as I sat in the library last Wednesday evening for the Award Ceremony of the Lee Golomb Cadiff Teen Poetry Contest.

There gathered a group of parents, educators and poets who understand that creativity and self-expression are as important as algebra and grammar. Maybe even more important.

For proof, look no further than the fourteen middle and high school students who arrived looking dressed for the occasion and then graced the audience by each reading their winning poem.

Each poem reflected a different facet of life.

There was humor. Tenth grader Elana Feldman read a witty critique of the fine art of looking busy while waiting, and eighth grader Alexander Zavriyev riffed on having a bad hair day.

The painful place between independence and family love was handled with honesty by eighth grader August Solone and with poignancy by seventh grader Alexandra Vogel. Tenth grader Thomas McEnaney read about seeing the adults around you with eyes that are no longer a child’s.

Eighth grader Nick Dell asked pointed questions about perception and identity, and eleventh grader Joseph Medoff read about the two identities that can rest in one body.

Eleventh grader Paulina Perlin created a mystery, while eighth grader Elise Friedman pointed out one.

Who was responsible for this gathering of talent?

In attendance was the prize’s sponsor, Norma Finn, who was also honored by a citation from Congressman John Tierney’s office for her efforts.

The Tin Box poets, usually led by Estelle Epstein but with help this year from Lee Eric Friedman and Clem Shoenenbeck, judged the entries and coached the winners in public speaking.

The show was put together and organized by Librarian Sandy Moltz, who ended the evening with a mention of a recent study that found that children with no verbal stimulation during the day have no dreams. “Thus,” she explained, “if children don’t learn to love words, it impoverishes even their dreams.”

And, love of words was certainly on display that evening, as well as the sort of learning no MCAS test could ever measure.

And the winners are: High School: First Prize—Thomas McEnaney; Second Prize—Joseph Medoff; Third Prize—Paulina Perlin; Honorable Mention--Elana Feldman, Jillian Hebert, and Claire Weaver-Zeman.

Middle School: First Prize—Alexandra Vogel; Second Prize—August Solone; Third Prize--Olivia Forman; Honorable Mention—Kate Brodsky, Julie Zabar, and Alexander Savriyev.

Donor Prize--Elise Friedman.

Library Staff Award—Nick Dell.