Whiz Kid: Kate Fazioli

Name:  Kate Fazioli 

School:  Sixth-grader at  

Accomplishment:  She won first place in the Elementary School Division of the Lehigh Valley Press Student Poetry Project, held in March.

Key to Awesomeness:  During the summer, Kate re-visited one of her favorite vacation spots — the Cayman Islands, her inspiration for a winning poem in the Elementary School Division of the Lehigh Valley Press Student Poetry Project. 

She said she was awe-struck by the beauty of the area, admiring the ocean’s waves and seashells left in the sand.  Even the clouds and light breezes she felt throughout the days while visiting the islands, just added to the beauty, she said.

“I have so many ideas for poetry,” Kate said.  “I like writing poetry, because it is a unique and cool style of writing.  Reading influences my writing and vocabulary — it makes them better,” she said.

“Kate is a voracious reader,” said her mom, Karen.  By the end of July, just five weeks after school ended, Kate was already reading her 12th book. 

Kate has won several awards for her poetry over the years—three times at Macungie ElementarySchool, three years for the Lehigh Valley Student Poetry Project and last year for the Emmaus Flag Day contest.

She is undecided about her future plans, but would like to be either a writer, an animal surgeon, or a musician—or perhaps all three. 

Here is Kate’s winning poem:

Everlasting Beauty

   By Kate Fazioli

On the shores of the Grand Cayman Islands

     beauty lives.

   The electric blue ocean, the heart of the island, laps at the sand,

     depositing gifts on its surface.

Gifts of seashells, coral and rocks.

     Within the ocean sting rays,

     slick, sleek, and delicate creatures,

     glide effortlessly, trailing magic in the waves.

On the beach, the sand sizzles with excitement as a Candlenut tree  sways in the sweet air,

     enchanted by an invisible lullaby.

A rose-throated parrot chirps, its voice cradled by the wind throughout    the island.

Above, 

     the golden sun spreads its rays of light throughout the island,

     warming both skin and heart.

Cream puff clouds sail sleepily through the tiffany blue sky.

     Soothing.

The gentle wind embraces with invisible arms,

     comforting with its peace and beauty.

At sunset, the tangerine sky

     glows

     magnificently.

And the beauty of the day,

     turns into a divine twilight.