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Kirkwood High School Sophomore Wins Regional Poetry Contest
Kirkwood High School students in Literature Composition Language Arts Classes submitted poetry writings to the Beverly Hopkins Memorial Poetry Contest. The annual contest is organized by the St. Louis Poetry Center and encourages area high school students to submit up to three poems to the contest.
The writings of two KHS students were recognized.
Sophomore Megan McGhee won the poetry contest for her submitted poems “Rings” and “Oldest Moon.” For winning the contest, Megan will receive a $225 cash prize, her poem will be published in St. Louis Poetry Center’s annual chapbook, and she is invited to read her poem at The Focal Point, 2320 Sutton, at the 60th Annual Poetry Concert on May 19 at 1:30 p.m
Freshman Devon Eldarrat was recognized for her poem “Untitled”.
The contest was judged by nationally acclaimed poet and novelist Naomi Shihab Nye. Nye was born in St. Louis. She served as judge of the contest. Her feedback to Megan’s poem “Oldest Moon” stated: “Megan’s poem was wonderful and caught my attention for a few reasons – it is very hard to write about the moon in a fresh way, and she does. The language is as luscious as a rich night sky. The images float and fascinate. It's a quiet poem imbued with wonder - loveliness embodied - congratulations!”
The St. Louis Poetry Center has been cultivating practitioners of the craft since its founding in 1946. Besides sponsoring contests and readings, the Poetry Center places teaching artists in schools, homeless shelters and jails to lead writing workshops.