Olmito Student Work Published in Poetry Book

by Ronnie Zamora/LFCISD

Three OImito Elementary students’ poetry published in the book “Illustrious: 2019 Poetry Collection” are all smiles after receiving copies of the book recently.

The book is the annual collection of student poetry from around the country by the American Library of Poetry. More than 200 poems were chosen for publication from students from grades 3 to 12.

Students Joshua Alamo, Jose Correa and Julisa Mendez were all fourth grade students in teacher Ericka Cabrera’s class during the 2018-19 school year. They are now fifth graders.

Cabrera started the school’s Poetry Club last year and met with students after classes on Friday afternoons to discuss writing poetry.

“One day, we researched to see if we can enter a contest and found one,” Cabrera said. “The poems were based on anything they wanted to write about. They chose to write about life. They put their heart into it.”

The poems were submitted in March and the students received letters in July notifying them that their poems had been selected.

“That was amazing to be chosen,” Cabrera said. “They are so young, and they have already been published. When we received the book, everybody was thrilled.”

The students were all smiles when asked about their experience.

“I like to read poems and in class and Ms. Cabrera would always to show us poems,” Joshua said. “I like poetry and so do my parents. I would continue writing to inspire others. I would like to be an author or an illustrator when I grow up.

“I like writing. It inspires me.” Jose said. “Writing pushes me to meet my goals. I hope to be published in more books.”

“My parents cried when we found out my poem got selected,” Julisa said.” I want to continue to write poetry. If there are clubs that have writing, I hope to join them and hopefully get published again.”

“It is an honor for these students to have their poetry selected,” Cabrera said. “They are in fifth grade now, and we are going to submit some new poems again.”