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Nine Lee County Students Honored as Student Poets of Distinction

Art of the Olympians Museum and Gallery (AOTO) has partnered with the Joint Event: The School District of Lee County to Ignite Inspiration amongst in local schools through a poetry contest.

Student Poetry Contest focused on issues that feed the spirit and promote Olympic idealism and philosophy.The Olympic Creed reads: "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."

Students were asked to focus on one of four mantras: be impeccable with your word; don’t take anything personally; don’t make assumptions; or always do your best.

The program was launched this year at Edison Park Creative and Expressive Arts School, Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School, and North Fort Myers High School.

The Awards Ceremony is scheduled for Friday, March 4, 2011, 6:30 p.m., at the Art of the Olympians Museum and Galery located at 1300 Hendry Street in the Historic River District of downtown Fort Myers. The poetry contest was organized with the help of its judges: Ann Smoot, Karen Leonardi, Warren Wright, and Ruth Moon.

Three students from elementary, middle, and high school levels will be selected as an AOTO Student Poet of Distinction. One student will be selected as the AOTO Student Poet of the Year and will be announced during the ceremony. The Student Poet of the Year will be invited to read for His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco at a special event on March 5, 2011. The selected works will be displayed at the ceremony and will be published on the Art of the Olympians website: www.ArtoftheOlympians.org

This class of 2011 Student Poet of Distinction Award winners are:

• End of the Rainbow: Jessica Gervickas, North Fort Myers High School,
  Mrs. Barbara Teitelzweig, teacher
• My Reason to Remain: Lindsay Freundlich, North Fort Myers High School,
  Mrs. Barbara Teitelzweig, teacher
• One Hundred and Ten Percent: Shelby Starks, North Fort Myers High School,
  Mrs. Barbara Teitelzweig, teacher
• Last Place Winner: Kemryn Lewis, Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School,
  Mrs. Cynthia Stirns, teacher
• Don’t Make Assumptions: Grace Speas, Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School,
  Mrs. Cynthia Stirns, teacher
• The Story of the Girl: Katie Bisbee, Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School,
  Mrs. Cynthia Stirns, teacher
• Sunrise to Sunset: Kelsey Trent, 5th grade, Edison Park Creative and Expressive Arts School – Ms Kimberlee Zager, teacher
• Gossip: Rylie McBreen, 5th grade, Edison Park Creative and Expressive Arts School – Mrs. Elizabeth Goldman, teacher
• The Olympic Games: Bijahnn Merisier, 3rd grade, Edison Park Creative and Expressive Arts School – Mrs. MaryEllen Cedeno, teacher

The Student Poet of the Year will be announced during a special ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 4.