Pierce’s Talented Young Poets Present in Lincoln
by Emma Risinger
On May 6, freshman Aylla Weeder, and seventh graders Josie Painter and Jessica Suckstorf were at the rotunda of the Nebraska State Capitol presenting poems they wrote in English class at the Poetry of Place Celebration sponsored by the Nebraska Writing Project. The poems were centered around places in and the beauty of Nebraska. They presented alongside other talented poets who were chosen from elementary, middle, and high schools from all across the state.
Poems were sent in virtually to the experienced judges Matt Mason, current Nebraska State Poet, and Twyla Hansen, former Nebraska State Poet.
Weeder, Painter, and Suckstorf were chosen as winners in their age divisions, so they were invited to read their work.
Weeder has cautious optimism about the opportunity. The day before she and the others left, she said, “I’m kind of nervous because I haven’t spoken in front of a crowd that big before, but cheer has prepared me for being in front of people, and I’m really excited.”
In addition to Weeder’s excitement, Mrs. Legate, Pierce’s 7th and 9th grade English teacher, was also very happy to see the girls’ work recognized. She said, “As their teacher, I am very proud of them. It is a huge honor to be chosen. This contest not only celebrates talented student writers but also celebrates Nebraska itself since all the submissions focus on local places. The writing that Aylla, Josie, and Jessica submitted highlights the often unsung but beautiful features of rural Nebraska, like our country roads and creeks, and they did so in such an eloquent way, which clearly stood out to the poets who selected them.”
After the Poetry of Place event completed, all works were published on the Nebraska Writing Project website, so anyone who is interested can go online at www.unl.edu/newp/poetry-of-place and read the girls’ beautiful writing for themself.
