HOUSTON COUNTY, GA – Houston County students participated in a poetry contest sponsored by the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority in May. The contest was open to any Houston County student from elementary to high school. Seventeen students from six schools entered the competition. The winners in each division received a certificate and trophy, with the first-place winner also receiving a cash prize. The event was held at Miller Elementary School.

The Arts and Letters Committee of the Warner Robins Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated sponsors this poetry contest each year. Contestants recite a poem of his or her choice. Categories judged include: dramatic emphasis/expression, poetic interpretation and familiarity with the poem. All contestants receive a certificate while first place winners receive cash prizes.

The first, second and third place winners for elementary schools were:
· 1st place - Joshua Jenkins, David Perdue Elementary;
·  2nd place - Raleigh Kreis, Lake Joy Primary; and
· 3rd place - Aria Jenkins, David Perdue Elementary

Huntington Middle eighth-graders won the top three awards for middle school, taking home trophies and certificates.  The winners were:
· 1st place – Briana Murch for her original poem, The Prickly Rose.  Briana also won $50. 
· 2nd place – Mishaya King for her rendition of Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou.
· 3rd place - O'na Reed for her rendition of Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

In addition, Elizabeth Wright was presented a certificate of participation.  Pictured (from left) are: Briana, Elizabeth, Mishaya and O’na.  Briana’s original poem follows.  

The Prickly Rose
by Briana Murch

A flower as pretty as a summer's day
Whose life is threatened at a constant pace.
From the bees with their stings
To children playing on the swing
Many things threaten it day by day.

Maybe because its beauty it thought ill.
If a thing should exist it should do their will.
For whatever reason it is wished ill.

Its beauty is sought,
Without a thought.
On the flowers behalf.
Those might even wish to cut the flower in half.
To end its life.
If the flower does not bend to their will,
Then the poor flower is wished ill.

The flower is its own.
It does not wish to be owned.
It has its own name.
It is not the same,
As other flowers in the flower grave.

It shall fight!
With all its might.
It shall not cry or state woe is me.
Instead it will shout.
You will not beat me.
That is how it earned the name.
The Prickly Rose.

For more information, please contact Cheri Byrom, Delta Sigma Theta member and Bonaire Elementary literacy coach, at Cherie.Byrom@hcbe.net