High School Students Recognized in UB Poetry Contest

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Martin Holt of Birmingham, Ala., a student at the Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham, has been named the first-prize winner in the poetry contest for high school students sponsored by the University at Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences (CAS).

Initiated by CAS Dean Uday Sukhatme, the poetry contest was held as part of the college's increased efforts to introduce high school students to UB and its College of Arts and Sciences.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, the largest and most comprehensive campus in the State University of New York. UB's more than 27,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. The university offers the only degrees in law, pharmacy and architecture in the SUNY system, and is the home of the only comprehensive public school of engineering in New York State.

Entries in the contest were judged by Carl Dennis, artist in residence in the UB Department of English in the CAS and the winner of the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for his eighth book of poetry, "Practical Gods."

The contest, open to high school students across the United States and Canada, drew more than 600 entries. Each student was limited to one entry of an original poem in English of 25 lines or fewer.

Six students from the Alabama School of Fine arts won prizes in the contest. Hunter College High School in New York City and Midwood High School at Brooklyn College in New York City each had three students claiming prizes.

Cash prizes of $200, $100 and $50 were awarded to first-, second- and third-place winners, respectively. Four fourth-place winners received $25 gift certificates. Ten honorable mentions also were awarded. All winners received a copy of "Practical Gods."

In addition to Holt, other winners in the poetry contest are:

• Second place: Rena Luczkiewicz of Williamsville, Williamsville South High School.

• Third place: Lillian Plott of Wilton, Ala., Alabama School of Fine Arts, Birmingham.

• Fourth place: Greg Kittle of Garrettsville, Ohio, Maplewood Career Center, Ravenna, Ohio; Angela Liu of Woodside, Hunter College High School, New York City; Glynnis Ritchie of Birmingham, Ala., Alabama School of Fine Arts, and Jenny Xie of North Brunswick, N.J., North Brunswick Township High School

Honorable Mentions:

• Milena Abrahamyan of Brooklyn, Midwood High School at Brooklyn College

• Elena Bolokhova of Brooklyn, Midwood High School at Brooklyn College

• Kate Cardona of Brooklyn, Midwood High School at Brooklyn College

• Keri Dolman of Ravenna, Ohio, Maplewood Career Center, Ravenna

• Caitlin Duffy of Allendale, N.J., Northern Highlands Regional High School

• Kevin H. Kim of Elmhurst N.Y., Hunter College High School, New York City

• Jenna Patterson of Birmingham, Ala., Alabama School of Fine Arts

• Lily Rothman of New York City, Hunter College High School

• Katie Weldon of Pleasant Grove, Ala., Alabama School of Fine Arts.

• Naomi Wolf of Birmingham, Ala., Alabama School of Fine Arts