COLUMBUS, Miss. (CMSD) – Edgar Allan Poe once said, "I would define, in brief, the poetry of words as the rhythmical creation of Beauty."
It’s a lesson some Columbus Middle School students are learning and refining.
Several students recently won the school’s Mississippi Poetry Project “Writing About nature” Poetry Contest.
The fourth annual Mississippi Poetry Project is a statewide poetry-writing initiative for K-12 students. Former Mississippi Poet Laureate Catherine Pierce created the event.
Earlier this year schools were asked to select three winning poems per grade to advance to the statewide competition.
Columbus Middle School Librarian and Testing Coordinator Jennifer Parker, a published poet, thought it was important to bring the initiative to CMS.
“I try to jump on any opportunities I see to promote language arts and encourage students' creative expression. I really want young people to know that they can be authors as well as readers. So, when I heard about the MPP, I began urging students at CMS to participate, not only to compete for the top prizes and honors but also because the top three poems submitted in each grade got the chance to be published and shared with a wider audience,” said Parker.
Each school-winner will have their poem published in the contest anthology.
“I am very excited for and proud of our schoolwide winners, several of whom are English Learners writing in their second language! I want all of their families and peers to join me in congratulating them as award-winning creative writers and soon-to-be published poets!” said Parker.
8Th Grade Winners: 1st Place – Angel Marie Davis for her poem "CALM IN NATURE'S WAY."
7th Grade Winners – 1st Place – Edwar Orocio-Mendoza for his poem, "THE QUIET HEART OF THE WORLD".
2nd Place – Jeffrey Perez Suarez for his poem "MILKY WAY MEETS THE WAVES."
Honorable Mention was awarded to the following students: May Saleh, Manar El Ochy, and Heber Hernandez-Mendoza.
Statewide winners be announced February 5, 2026.