Two Romeoville Martinez Students Earn National Honors for Poetry

Two A. Vito Martinez 7th graders have been named semi-finalists and are under consideration for the Editor’s Choice Award in the American Library of Poetry’s student poetry contest.

The honor means poems written by Emily Hughes and Michelle Jacobo will be published in the organization’s “Discovered: 2013 Poetry Collection” along with poetry written by other students from across the country.

Hughes, an honor student, who calls herself “a bit of an overachiever” admits to having written an 11-page narrative in Amy O’Mara’s 6th grade language arts class last year when all of the other students were turning in 2 and 3 page papers.

“I’m nervous about finding out the final winners,” said Hughes, who hopes to be a journalist and an author of children’s stories someday. “At the same time it’s very exciting because I made it to the semifinals which is an amazing accomplishment already.”

Hughes’ poem “Hope the Dog” was inspired by her American Bulldog named Hope who joined her family as a puppy around New Year’s last year and quickly grew into a dog who is “bigger than everything.”

Jacobo, who is also an honor student, is a member of the Martinez band and readily admits she wants to be a musician someday. Her poem “Piano” relates her memories as she progresses “from Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to Prelude and beyond” and all the “big improvement” in between.

“This is really special,” she said. “I really didn’t expect it.”

“I knew when I read these, they were special,” said Mrs. O’Mara as she recalled having the students in her classroom last year. “When the American Library of Poetry contacted me and said they were winners, I was not surprised.”

The awards, given annually by the San Diego-based organization, are designed to help students express their creativity through writing by sharing their thoughts, feelings and experiences. Three winners from each of four age divisions will be announced at the end of September. The Editor’s Choice Award will go to one of those age division winners.

COMING SUNDAY on PATCH: Read the complete text of the award-winning entries as submitted by Emily Hughes and Michelle Jacobo.