Official Kids Mag

governor "was nice." Ellie said she "felt really important" getting to sit at his desk, and felt "like a part-time governor." These are all the contest winners: Grades 1-5 First place: elinor Johnson, 9, from Arkadelphia, for her poem "Sugar, Soda, and Summer" Second place: Marcus atkinson, 10, from Harrison, for "The Stand" Third place: augustus Johnson, 6, from Arkadelphia for "How to Become a Grandpa" Honorable mention: Katherine Wright, 10, from Hot Springs for "Friday Night Dinner" Grades 6-12 First place: emma Wright, 13, from Hot Springs for "Friday Night Dinner" Second place: ava Hickman, 16, from Harrison, for "Memorial Stone" Third place: Katherine Johnson, 12, from Arkadelphia for "The Woods and White Sand Creek" Honorable mention: Hannah Williams, 17, from Maumelle, for "Room of Resonance" Will these kids keep writing poems? Marcus Atkinson said, "I want to continue writing poetry—and books too!" As for Gus Johnson (this will make you smile), he'll keep writing "if there's another contest." Ava Hickman, who's been writing poetry for years, wrote several for the contest before choosing her entry and said, "I love to do poetry." Mrs. Rhodes founded the poetry contest for two reasons. One was to provide a creative opportunity for Arkansas homeschoolers, who often have a hard time getting resources easily available to traditional students. Another reason is that homeschooling has recently grown by 8% in Arkansas. "It's important to be aware of this population of students," she said. She offers this advice for Official Kids Mag readers who might want to try their hand at writing poetry. "Always use plenty of images, or word pictures, and choose fresh, fun, gorgeous words like dazzle, wisteria, squishy and glum. By choosing 'the best words in the best order,' as Samuel Coleridge defined poetry, your poem will touch our feelings. The art of a poem is its heart." Elinor's poem: Sugar, Soda, and Summer It's noon time on the family farm, Where would one find my pop? In his workshop eating a candy bar, Enjoying a soda and resting a while. I come alongside him and he gives me one To drink on the Jon Deere whole we drive through the field. Summer days go by and sweet memories of sugar And soda and long talks fill my mind. At the end of the day when we go to bed, We think of all the fun that we've had. We are both very tired and I fall asleep quickly, With my mind filled with summer days and sweet treats. Emma's poem: My Favorite Family Feast The warm summer sun touches my eyes and I bounce out of bed, ready for the end-of-week preparation of food when every child wears an apron, chopping, stirring, boiling cracking nuts and oven doors poring over precious tomes of culinary expertise creating masterpieces proudly displayed … and mistakes quietly devoured in corners along with slyly swiped morsels from neighboring workstations the one night a week the kids assemble the evening meal When the prep is done, and food spread out in a tempting rainbow, the head chef and childish sous-chefs link hands around the table give thanks, and EAT. www.officialKidsMag.com • NoVeMBer 2022 • 31

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