Santee Wateree Writing Project’s Fall Poetry Contest

During the month of October, students from Districts 2 and 17 submitted poetry to the Santee Wateree Writing Project’s Fall Poetry Contest. The contest was an initiative of the Santee Wateree Writing Project in cooperation with the University of South Carolina, Sumter School District 2 and Sumter School District 17. As a part of the poetry contest, students were placed into categories (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12). Each student was able to submit a reflective piece of poetry that expressed their concerns, inspirations, hopes, dreams, passions, and fears. Students could write the poems in any format; however they were asked that the poem be reflective and less than 20 lines.

On November 5, 2009, over 50 people joined at the University of South Carolina to share in the celebration to honor the students. The following is a list of all of the poems that placed in the 2009 Santee Wateree Writing Project’s Fall Poetry Contest:

Grades K-2

My Worst Fear ~ Trinity Lucas (Pocalla Springs, 1^st Place) Mrs. Hicks

Baseball Player ~ Descere Summers (Pocalla Springs, 2^nd Place) Mrs. Hicks

Grades 3-5

The Lonely Road ~ Hunter Pritchard (Wilder Elementary, 1^st Place) Ms. Black

All About Me ~ Anitra Anderson (Rafting Creek, 2^nd Place) Mrs. Harrington

Here I Am ~ Tie Wan Frierson (Wilder Elementary, 3^rd Place) Ms. Black

Where I’m From ~ Kaitlyn Hodge (Pocalla Springs, 3^rd Place) Mrs. Hilton

Where I’m From ~ Gavin Rich (Pocalla Springs, 3^rd Place) Mrs. Hilton

Grades 6-8

My Spirit ~ Brandon Wilson (Mayewood Middle School, 1^st Place) Mrs. Edwards

The Fear Hidden Inside of Me ~ Zikera Glover (Mayewood Middle School, 2^nd Place) Mrs. Edwards

The Pain ~ Ricky Scott, Jr. (Mayewood Middle School, 3^rd Place) Mrs. Edwards

Grades 9-12

My World ~ Aaron Jefferson (Sumter High School, 2^nd Place) Ms. Creech

The Idyllic Field ~ Julia Dingle (Sumter High School, 1^st Place) Ms. Tesenair

A Cluttered Girl ~ Shavondria Carter (Sumter High School, 3^rd Place) Mrs. Champion

Love Me, You Give Me Strength ~ Taylor Hill (Sumter High School, 1^st Place) Mrs. Champion

We gratefully acknowledge these sponsors of the Fall Poetry Contest and Awards Ceremony Day:

Bi-Lo Grocery Store IGA Grocery Store Food Lion

JC Penny Red Lobster Office Church Supply

Fire House Subs Chili’s Golden Corral

Sonic’s Outback Steakhouse Applebee’s

Walden Book Store Shoney’s Ward’s Bar-b-Que

The Gift Shop

-Written by Ureka Hilton