This year's theme was: "WHAT MAKES ME SMILE?"
Prizes were awarded in each of the following categories:
High School - Grades 9-12 Elementary - Grades 4-5
Middle School - Grades 6-8 Primary - Grades 2-3
1st Place - Apple iPad Mini 16GB Wi-Fi with Retina Display
2nd Place - $50 Gift Card 3rd Place - $25 Gift Card
Winning entries were displayed at the MCEF Benefit Concert and Raffle March 28, 2015 @ 7:00 PM, Blacksburg Presbyterian Church.
2015 Winners:
High School Category (Grades 9-12)
1st - "The Ocean" by Neha Hudait, 9th grade
2nd - "One Word" by Jessy Martin, 9th gradel
3rd - "Smiles for Each Season" by Emily Peacock, 10th grade
Honorable Mention - ""All the Things I Have Seen" by Judith Tauber, 10th grade
"My Nanny" by Brenna Woodrum, 10th grade
Middle School Category (Grades 6-8)
1st - "Fireworks" by Ella Warnick, 7th grade, Blacksburg Middle School
2nd - "The Little Girl" by Bethany Hsiao, 8th grade, Blacksburg Middle School
3rd - "Sunrise Feet" by Dawn Stanger, 6th grade, Auburn Middle School
Honorable Mention - "Those Little Things" by Roshie Xing, 8th grade Blacksburg Middle School
Elementary Category (Grades 4-5)
1st - "Memories Make Me Smile" by Evelyn Cameron, 5th grade, Gilbert Linkous Elem. School
2nd - "What Makes Me Smile" by Sidnie Saville, 5th grade, Margaret Beeks Elem. School
3rd - "What Makes Me Smile" by Chelsea Kaylor, 4th grade, Falling Branch Elem. School
Honorable Mention - "What Makes Me Smile" by Emma Byrd, 4th grade Kipps Elem. School
Primary Category (Grades 2-3)
1st - " "Tons of Things That Make Me Smile" by Valeria Castillo, 2nd grade, Eastern Montgomery Elem. School
2nd - "Smiling Acrostic" by Ella Prevette, 3rd grade, Gilbert Linkous Elem. School
3rd - "I Smile" by Isabelle Petry, 2nd grade Falling Branch Elem. School
Honorable Mention - "Spring Fun" by Casey Rennecker, Grade 3, Kipps Elementary School
Honorable Mention - "What Makes Me Smile" by Lindsay Santos, 3rd grade, Gilbert Linkous Elem. School
Winning Poems:
HIGH SCHOOL
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The Ocean
The sea is calm and quiet,
As I walk along the shore.
Breathing in the salty morning air,
Here is where I am content.
The waves dance as I swim,
Paddling towards them.
Glimmering and glowing,
As I ride them on my board.
I lay down in the sand,
And watch the children play.
As they smile and laugh,
I can't help but feel the same.
The sea is loud and roaring,
As I run across the sand.
The ocean plays a melody,
As I dance to the song.
The surroundings are all a blur,
As it's just me and the ocean.
My utopia,
My eternal source of happiness.
By Neha Hudait
9th Grade
Blacksburg High School
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One Word
Why can't I remember this one word, when it's so simple?
Have you ever had a word, just sitting there, on the tip of your tongue?
Have you ever needed a word, to describe how you feel, and not known it?
Or do you know the word, but it doesn't know you?
Don't you know that words have to choose you?
You don't choose the words you say. They choose you to get across their point.
When one rebels, you can only stutter.
However, when the words agree with you--
An essay that could redefine essays is written.
A speech that could motivate the world to take action is spoken.
A break-up song worthy of Taylor Swift is sung.
A love story comparable to Shakespeare's best work is told.
When words collaborate with people, and people use words like they hold a newborn baby, I smile.
By Jessy Martin
9th Grade
Blacksburg High School
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Smiles for Each Season
Summer sun
Autumn breeze
Winter snow
Spring rain
Playful pups
Water fights
Leaf piles
School supplies
Snowball fights
Hot chocolate
Rain boots
Farmers market
By Emily Peacock
10th Grade
Blacksburg High School
---
All the Things I Have Seen
Of all the things that I have seen
And of all the places I have been,
These are the things that made me smile:
A herd of wind-blown horses, galloping single file,
A blue-green butterfly, and anything marine.
I have seen
A hummingbird outside my window, its tiny feathers a soft, lush green.
I have been to Paris, where I enjoyed some excellent cuisine,
And in the Mediterranean, with a turtle, I swam- for a while.
I have seen
Waves cascading onto a sandy shore, and touched the wild ocean's silky sheen.
I've enjoyed the setting sun's warm, golden gleam
And slept in a hammock, just a bit longer, and just for a while,
Though I would have preferred to be under a palm tree on an emerald isle.
What is yet to come, and what is soon to make me smile, remains to be seen.
By Judith Tauber
10th Grade
Blacksburg High School
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My Nanny
My Nanny makes me smile every day.
I know she is looking down saying, "Hey."
Even though she is no longer here,
I know that she will always be near.
Watching me from high in the sky,
All the time as the days go by.
Maybe one day I'll see her again.
But until then...
She will always make me smile even though she is far away,
Because I know she is watching over me every day.
By Brenna Woodrum
10th Grade
Blacksburg High School
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GRADES 2-5
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Tons of Things That Make Me Smile
There are tons of things that make me smile
Like wearing my pink glittery bow
Or making snow angels in the snow
Helping to decorate the Christmas tree
And playing tag with my daddy
There are tons of things that make me smile
Like putting on puppet shows instead of watching TV
Or spending time with people who are special to me
Piggy back riding on my dad
And getting in a hug when I'm feeling sad
There are tons of things that make me smile
Like watching my favorite show Tom & Jerry
Or getting a visit from the tooth fairy
The friendly company of a friend when I'm alone
Or mastering the art of skipping stones
There are tons of things that make me smile
Like feeding animals at the zoo
Or walking around in my pink tutu
Remembering silly memories of friends who are gone
And getting my hair cut at the salon
There are tons of things that make me smile
Like planning a royal tea party
Or falling asleep to my favorite book the giving tree
Like taking a picture with a real bearded Santa (I always check)
Or having a play date with my best friend Samantha
There are tons of things that make me smile, to name them all it would take a while.
By Valeria Castillo
2nd Grade
Eastern Montgomery Elementary
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Smiling Acrostic
When someone is happy
Handmade gifts
Abstract paintings
Talking with friends
My little brothers
Architecture
Koalas
Eating ice cream
Singing
Making new friends
Easter eggs
Springtime
Millions of daisies in a pasture
Icicles
Little babies
Elegant dresses
By Ella Prevette
3rd Grade
Gilbert Linkous Elementary
---
I Smile
I smile when I get something new
I smile when I see a horse at the zoo
I smile when I get to school each day
I smile when I am surprised, okay?
I smile when I see Noah on the bus
I smile when Daddy is with us
I smile when we have family game night
I smile when I go on a trip or a flight
I smile when I get things right on a test
I smile when I find something lost on my quest
I smile to the camera when I hear "say cheese"
I smile when Mommy reminds me to say "please"
By Isabelle Petry
2nd Grade
Falling Branch Elementary
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What Makes Me Smile
What makes me smile is the sunshine
Having cupcakes and donuts
A big smile on everyone's face
The playful animals jumping outside
Making my friends happy and cheerful
Always trying to enjoy myself
Kites in the sky flying everywhere
Every sunrise and sunset
Snowball fights
Meeting new people
Eating new foods
Sweet babies smiling
Moving to the beat of music
In the grass with beautiful flowers
Laughter in the air
Everything can make me smile
By Lindsay Santos
3rd Grade
Gilbert Linkous Elementary
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Memories Make Me Smile
I remember the time I went skiing,
I remember the time I was in a play,
I remember the time I wrote a story, oh what a wonderful thing.
I remember the time I went fishing,
I remember the time I saw a movie,
I remember the time I went to Mexico, it was the vacation for which I was wishing.
I remember the time we had Daisy,
I remember the time I had a sleepover,
I remember the time we got Wendy as a pup she was really crazy.
By Evelyn Cameron
5th Grade
Gilbert Linkous Elementary
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What Makes Me Smile
What makes me smile...
The breeze blowing in my face,
The sun beating down on my body,
Swimming with my family,
All my friends and their funny jokes.
All of that makes me smile,
My animals and showing keeps me smiling too.
There is one more thing that makes me smile the most,
Other happy and smiling people.
By Sidnie Saville
5th Grade
Margaret Beeks Elementary
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What Makes Me Smile
What makes me smile are the good things in life, my friends, my family and good sleep.
What makes me smile is running a mile down the aisle with my ally colleague dare I say friend.
What makes me smile is my church family because friends and family make me feel good.
What makes me smile is the sun that shines above the earth's blessings of warmth.
What makes me smile is when I fall down the people that care for me always pick me up.
What makes me smile is the blessing of food, water, shelter, clothing and warmth.
What makes me smile is to go to school and enjoy the fun and learning.
What makes me smile is to think about my wonderful life.
What makes me smile is a nice kind hug to just turn that frown upside down.
What makes me smile is to look at the bright positive side of life rather than to think negatively. I just like to smile but not only I smile, but I also like to spread kind, joyful positivity so everyone is happy in this entire world.
By Chelsea Kaylor
4th Grade
Falling Branch Elementary
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What Makes Me smile
I like cute little puppys and hugs too
Reading and skiing with warm winter coats
Looking at little animals with big eyes
Snuggles with parents
Playing with pets
And last, but not least, I come to the best
Making someone else smile!
By Emma Byrd
4th Grade
Kipps Elementary
