Poetry honors black history

Thursday, Feb. 12, 2004 | 8:52 a.m.

Eleven local students were recently announced as winners of U.S. Bank's 11th annual African-American Reflections Poetry Contest, which is held each February in honor of Black History Month.

This year's winners were chosen from nearly 500 entries received from classrooms throughout Clark County.

Participants of the contest were asked to "identify an African-American whose contribution has made a difference in America and express their thoughts and feelings about their contribution through the art of poetry," U.S. Bank representatives said.

Each winner earned a $100 U.S. Savings Bond and a commemorative plaque.

In addition, each winner's teacher will receive $100 for use in the classroom.

Local winners were Courtney Allen of Silverado High School, Anthony Chamberlain of Mike O'Callaghan Middle School, Madison Crowley and Rachel Sloane, both of Green Valley High School, Christopher Garbooshian of Joseph M. Neal Elementary School, Dallas Mckee and Doleena Spaan, both of Gwendolyn Wooley Elementary School, Keyshuna Moncrief of West Edison Jr. Academy, Kiersten Moore of Brinley Middle School, Gabriele Ocampo of Roger M. Bryan Elementary School, and Noel Sarabia of K.O. Knudson Middle School.

U.S. Bank created a book of the winning poems, which can be found on its website (poetry.usbank.com/ 2004poetrybook/). Copies of the book can be printed out from the website.