Thanks to some leg work by teacher Karl O'Leary, a group of 7th and 8th grade poets from Susquehanna Valley's Richard T. Stank Middle School will, for eternity, have their names linked to one of the greatest poets the world has ever known. Mr. O'Leary compiled poetry created by our students into an anthology, which he submitted for consideration in the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association's 31st Annual Poetry Contest for students in grades 3 through 12, which attracted 2,700 entries. The Richard T. Stank students' poetry collection Dreams Devoured, was entered in Category 1: Class Anthology, Grades 7 and 8, and was named Grand Champion in that category. An awards ceremony is planned for June 4 at Walt Whitman's Birthplace, Huntington Station, NY.
List of Poem Titles and Authors in Dreams Devoured:
Shooting For the Goal • Austin Bailey
Bonds • Logan Everson
Dreaming Big • Jenna Lawrence
A Successful Life • Gianna Morabito
Animals are People Too • Katie Howe
I may be a singer, but I am a dreamer • Sydney Burford
From out of the Ordinary • Kassie Page
Something Extraordinary • Joseph Giammarino
A Nonviolent World • Madeline Ulma
My Dream • Emily Allegrino
Dreaming of Hope • Troy Schneider
Spring • Jacob Kaminsky
Fighting Dream • Hailey Traver
The World Will Change • Joshua Stewart
I Dream • Nate Giles
Helping the Sick • Vanessa Morgan
My Future • Madeline Olbrys
I Dream of Dance • Stefionna Bloodgood
Me • Elizabeth Kick
Dreaming in a Sports Bubble • Kaelyn Roloson
An Athlete’s Wish • Madison Andrew
The Futuristic Life and Goals • Kellen Russell
My Life Goals • Kyleigh Lord
I Dream • Sierra Cook
Life • Mason Matias
My #1 Dream • Gayle Valentine
What I Dream • Makenna DeMoney
Winter Wonder • Dawson McAvoy
The Future • Eric Yingling
Hit and Hustle • Reagan Ryder