Two Chester High School students, Brooklyn Webb and Tia Martinez, won both first and second place in SWIC’s annual poetry writing contest. Brooklyn won first place, and Tia won second place.

Brooklyn’s first place winning poem is titled “What Could Have Been,” and can be read here: Google Doc

Tia’s second place winning poem is titled “Equality,” and can be read here: Google Doc

Ms. Hodge has helped guide both of these students during the process and when asked for her thoughts about the outcome of the contest she said, “I could not be more proud of these two young ladies. They are a testament to what a Creative Writing course can do for an individual and a community, and they should be proud of what they have accomplished. I think both of these students learned a valuable lesson this year: they are gifted. They are talented. They have a voice and their thoughts are worth sharing. To me, that is the most important part of my job – to help kids find their voice and muster the confidence to use it. Sure, I want my students to do well on the SAT. But when a student puts their heart on the page, that is the thing that keeps me coming to work on even the worst of mornings.”

There is a book available in Ms. Hodge’s classroom where you can not only read the poems, but also read the judge’s notes regarding the poems.

Both videos where the poems were read can be viewed here: Brooklynn Webb’s Poem & Tia Martinez’s Poem

It’s safe to say that CHS as a whole is very proud of these two, and they should feel proud of themselves. Congratulations to Brooklyn and Tia!