Local Middle School Students Win Awards for Excellence in Poetry Writing

Seventh and eighth grade students from Plainview-Old Bethpage School District’s Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School were recently selected as winners of the Walt Whitman Birthplace Associations’ Thirteenth Annual Student Poetry Contest. Among the winners from Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School were Gregory Kies, who was selected as the Grand Champion for grades seven and eight, and Lauren Park, who was selected as the winner for grade eight. In addition, Gregor Reinbold’s eighth grade class won for its class anthology of poetry.

For the content, the students were challenged to submit original poems based on Walt Whitman’s work entitled, A Child Went Forth. Students attended an awards ceremony at the Walter Whitman House to celebrate their recognition with their teacher Gregor Reinbold.

Participating in the prestigious poetry competition is one of the many ways the Plainview-Old Bethpage School District encourages students explore their creativity and to enjoy literature.

Photo 1 (L-R): Plainview-Old Bethpage Middle School students were recently recognized for their winning poetry submissions to the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association’s Thirteenth Annual Student Poetry contest.. Teacher Gregor Reinbold (far left) and English Language arts (ELA) Chairperson Jeff Yagaloff (third from left) joined students (l-r) Greg Kies, Ryan Norris and Lauren Park at the award ceremony.