Winning With Words

This year was the 31st annual MHS Poetry contest. For many students, this contest was worth more than just money. The Creative Writing class had the opportunity to pick the theme for the contest which was “Falling Through Madness.” The class is offered through the school and is taught by Mr. Ken Barrett, typically during fifth period. There used to be an Advanced Creative Writing class, but it was cut due to the lack of demand. There were many participants in the contest which made for a tough competition. Coming in first place, junior Addison White participated in the contest in order to share her work with the rest of the school. She won with her work “Tinderbox Lullaby.”

“I had an idea that had been kicking around in my brain for a while, and this just seemed like a good time to put it down on paper,” said White.

White won a $25 prize for receiving first place. Right behind White, senior Hannah Skaggs came in 2nd place with her poem “The Rabbit Hole.” For Skaggs, it was all about expressing herself.

“I have been writing poetry since freshman year, and I just had a desire to share my work,” said Skaggs.

She was awarded a $15 prize. Receiving 3rd place, sophomore Kaci Alvarez entered the contest because of her strong ambition to share her works. She entered her poem “The Victim,” and won a prize of $10.

“I decided to enter because I just really love poetry and really wanted to get some of my works out there,” said Alvarez.

For all of the winners, it was their love for poetry that pushed them to enter the contest and share their works. The contest gave them the opportunity to show what they are made of, and it was a creative outlet for them.