Yosemite High School student
Carmen George honored for poetry writing ability

Yosemite High student, Carmen George, has been named Student Laureate in Training by Mary Lee Gowland, Madera County coordinator of California Poets in the Schools.

The program began last year in San Diego to honor exceptional students who regularly engage in the poetry writing process and contribute to their literary community.

It grew to state-wide this year. Students nominated submitted a portfolio of five poems accompanied by an essay and such activities as participation in literary clubs, student newspapers and poetry circles could be satisfactory examples. As well as writing poems, Carmen writes a column for the Blue Print, Yosemite High School’s paper, distributed by the Sierra Star.

“I’ve known Carmen since she was in my After School Writing Club at Coarsegold School,” Gowland said.

“I remember a poem she wrote about a man riding a motorcycle with his long gray hair streaming behind him. It was a love poem and expressed a mature and thoughtful sensitivity. Carmen’s columns in the paper are well written and inspiring. It’s a pleasure to see her grow as a young woman and writer.”

In the essay she submitted, Carmen said “Poetry doesn’t just appeal to the mind, it appeals to the deeper part of our being. The writing should make the reader think about something in a new way.”

As well as a certificate of recognition for her writing skills, Carmen received a $50 prize and a $20 gift certificate from Coarsegold Bookseller.

Carmen will read a selection of her poems on Saturday May 14, at Yosemite Coffee and Roasting Company in Oakhurst.

The reading begins at 7 p.m. and there will be an open reading for local poets and writers to share their work.

Yosemite Joint Union High School District News