Winners of the Annual James Larkin Pearson Poetry Competition announced

Apr. 27—The sixth Annual James Larkin Pearson Poetry Competition at Whippoorwill Academy and Village in Ferguson helped celebrate National Poetry Month.

The contest is held annually for middle and high school students from Wilkes and Caldwell counties. The judge this year was North Carolina's seventh Poet Laureate, Joseph Bathanti, who will also be inducted into the North Carolina Writer's Hall of Fame in the fall. The competition is named for North Carolina's 2nd Poet Laureate and longest serving Poet Laureate, James Larkin Pearson who also attended the one-room school house called Whippoorwill.

First place winners were: Aubree Bradford from Hudson Middle, won two blue ribbons; Addison Maynard from East Wilkes Middle; James Ogren from Caldwell Early College; Elijah Clarke from North Wilkes Middle School; Iler Wyatt from West Wilkes High; Blair Joceyln Sheeler from Wilkes Early College

Second place winners were: Oakley Stone from Hudson Middle; Tressie Grace Robertson from East Wilkes Middle; Ayden Stevens from Caldwell Early College; Lillian Greene from West Wilkes High; Blaire Joceyln Sheeler from Wilkes Early College; Amber Lobst from North Wilkes Middle School.

Third place winners were: James Pat from Hudson Middle; Addison Foster from East Wilkes middle; Brayden Charles from Hudson Middle; Bradley Wiles from North Wilkes Middle; Natalie Neice from West Wilkes High.

Honorable Mention winners were: Emma Smithey from East Wilkes Middle; Evelyn Smith from Hudson Middle; Tyler Latham from North Wilkes Middle; Tatum Brown from North Wilkes Middle.

Even though Joseph Bathanti could not attend this year's poetry event, he did send a message. The Judge's Award for his top favorite poem was Germany, 94 by Elijah Clarke from North Wilkes Middle School. Mr. Bathanti said of this poem:

"THE poem I absolutely remember and I did not keep copies of the manuscripts. It's of course about Kurt Cobain, but handled with such finesse, empathy, maturity — delicacy even — and exhibits such compassion and intelligence, especially for a middle schooler. It's also a bit of a cautionary tale for the times we live in and the emotional minefield our children have to navigate, I can almost recite from memory the closing rhyming couplet that rhymes, I believe, 'Kurt' and 'hurt.' The minimalist flair ends up being quite a sucker punch. That would be my 'Judge's Choice Award,' and feel free to quote what I say here when you dole out the awards. "

The Poem by Elijah Clarke:

Germany, 94

March 1st

30 years ago

He took his final stand

Before being too sick to go again

Only a month

And a week

He had died

Found with a wound

It opened our eyes

His 2 best friends

Cried again

It was no more

It ended right then

Came back home

Went away

Jumped a wall

He went astray

We knew you hurt

Goodbye Kurt

He also said "...it's especially moving to have those parents and grandparents there to hear from the stage what their children would never dare utter at the dinner table."

Each student read their winning poem from the stage and each student received an award. Following the sharing of poetry, everyone enjoyed delicious cookies provided from the Caldwell Community College Culinary Department. Their delicious donation was appreciated. Sponsors for this year's poetry event were: Maggie Robinson of Mills River, NC; Lisa Blevins of Ferguson, NC; Dennis and Jan Huggins of North Wilkesboro, NC; Margaret and Dick Martine of Ferguson, NC. Many thanks to the teachers who work with these young people every day.

Whippoorwill Academy and Village is a non-profit organization located in Ferguson, NC. It is open every 3rd Saturday of the month from 1 — p.m. to 5 p.m. from April- October with special events happening on other dates. The next big event at Whippoorwill will be held on June 1 at 11 a.m. for the Edith's Barn Ground Breaking Ceremony and a community picnic following.

Everyone is asked to bring a well-filled picnic basket to share.