2009 Literary Contest...First Place Winner

Lillie Story
Wins First Place

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Learn more about past "Literary Contests."
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Lillie is a Freshman at Lincoln Community High School. She in involved with Swim Team, Speech Team, Soccer Team and the winter Guard Flag Squad. Lilly enjoys spending time with friends and family and loves to read and write stories.

Lillie says she chose the drawing "Major League Dreams" to write about because, "To me the person standing on the base of the baseball field was a girl. It reminded me of the time I went out for the boys wrestling team. It was a boys sport and they didn't accept me joining at first. Gut I proved to them that I could do it. As as soon as I thought of that story of mine I just had to write my story on that picture."

Congratulations Lillie
Marsha Robinett

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Here is Lillie's descriptive essay...Enjoy!

"Sam" by Lilly B. Story

Her name was Samantha, a bit of a "tomboy" if you might ask. She was short, with really long hair, and had just turned 8 1/2.

Samantha was good in school. She loved it. She called school her second love. Her first being quite unusual for an 8 1/2 year old little girl. While she should be playing with Barbie's, Samantha was playing ball, baseball that is.

Samanatha LOVED baseball, and she was good at it. She was better than the boys of her neighborhood, who ment on Saturdays, to play baseball at a nearby field. She could run those bases blindfolded and still make it home without being tagged out. And the way she swung that bat to the ball was like an instince to her.

She wished she could play with the boys, just once, and show them how good she was. So there came another Saturday, and Samantha was watching the boys pick who's on whose team, and who the captains are.

The game began and not long after Samantha shouted "Hey!" Nobody could hear her over the "hey batta' batta' hey's" that were being shouted. She yelled again as she ran out to the field. "What!?" one of the boys yelled, "can't you see we're in the middle of the game?" "Well..."she mumbled "why can't I play?" Laughter starts. 'Um...because you're a girl!!!"

It was at that moment Samantha thought of something she's never thought of before. She ran back to her house as fast as she could. She went up to her room and put on the baseball shoes and outfit she had gotten for her birthday. Then she went in her brother's room and grabbed a pair of scissors and his ball cap.

Samantha went to the bathroom and looked in the mirror, she smiled as she began to chop off all her hair. She put on her ball cap and her game face and snuck out of the house without anybody catching her.

Samantha returned to the field: the boys were still in the game. "Who are you ?" one of the boys shouted. "I'm Sam. mind if I join?' "Go ahead, you're up to bat"

Samantha's team won because of her amazing skills. All the boys were so amazed, they even invited "Sam" to come play next Saturday. Samantha smiled and said, "I thought you didn't let girls play!"

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The recipients are excited about their awards...anxious to see them published and anticipating your comments.

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Zechariah 8:5
The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there."
Zechariah 8:4-6 (in Context)

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2009 Literary Contest...Second Place Winner

Shelby Kotteman
Wins second place for her essay..."Girls Trip"

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Learn more about past "Literary Contests."

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Shelby is a Junior at Lincoln Community High School and an active participant in National Honor Society, Future Educators of America, Spanish Club, library Club, and has been a Peer Leader both her freshman and sophomore years. She had perfect attendance both her freshman and sophomore years and included in the Who's Who Among American High School Students in 2006 and 2007.

Shelby received the Lincoln Jaycees Outstanding Young Citizen Award in 2004. She was nominated for and attended the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington D.C. in 2005, 2007, and 2008. and the state

Active also in her community, Shelby has participated in the Big Brother and Big Sister Program...tutoring and mentoring others...volunteered at our County Health fair and at Illinois State Fair Governors Day with her 4-H club.

Congratulations Shelby
Marsha Robinett

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Shelby says she chose the drawing, Butterfly and Flower as her subject because..."The butterfly and flower in this picture remind me of the butterflies and wildflowers I see on our trips to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The trips I take there with my family and our mother/daughter girls' trips to Naubinway are very special to me, and I decided to write about some of my cherished memories and experiences there.

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Here is Shelby's descriptive essay. I realize for a blog entry it is quite long...I hope you will enjoy the cherished memories of this young writer.

Girls' Trip...by Shelby Kottemann

Last summer, my mom and I went on a girls' trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This is something we have done together each summer for the past three years. We Stay in a small, rustic cabin in the Hiawatha Sportsman's Club near a small village, called Naubinway for about a week. The weather there is almost always nice, the people are so friendly and welcoming, and there's so much to see and do.

We always leave early to start our eleven; hour drive. We listen to music and talk along the way. We always stop at the rest area at the state border. Here we eat our packed lunch; a salad with crackers. My favorite road we drive on is Highway 26 in Wisconsin. It's a really pretty drive. We pass by country homes with cows and red barns. The lilacs are in full bloom in the first week of June. They add to the beauty of the places we go through. We always stop in Menominee and stay the night in Econo Lodge. Right next door is a restaurant Mom and I love to go to, called Schlogels. Their food is so good! The next morning, we get up early and drive the rest of the way, we stop in Escanaba to get the things we may need for the week. It is the last Wal-Mart we'll see for the next 164 miles on U.S.2.

When we get to the cabin, we unpack and head to Naubinway. There is a marina and two stores there" Valiers, which is a small grocery store and King's, which is a little shop for tourists to buy souvenirs or smoked fish. It has been there for as long as my family has been coming to Michigan, and so has some of the merchandise. Naubinway is a small fisherman's village. It is the home to the largest commercial fishing port on the Great Lakes. We bought fresh whitefish from the port to take home in coolers, so we can have it throughout the year. A lot of days we went to the beach. Since it's not peak tourist season in June, we sometimes have the beach to ourselves. I like walking around the waves, feeling the ripples of sand beneath my toes. Sometimes I'll run across a school of minnows, and chase them through the water.

When I was little, I used to take home Monarch Caterpillars. They are my favorite butterflies and the U.P. is one of their main habitats. I collected milkweed for them to eat and kept them in a jar with netting at the top. They built their cocoons at the top, and after we returned home I would watch their cocoons change from green to clear, making it where you could see the butterfly inside. Then one morning, they would hatch, and once their wings had dried, I let them go outside. Every once in a while, I still see a Monarch flying through our yard and wonder if it is one of the babies of my butterflies.

At the end of our day, Mom and I sometimes went to Pizza Pronto for supper. They have the best pizza in the world! After supper, we went back to the cabin to relax. Some nights we'd watch one of our favorite movies and have popcorn. Other nights we'd read our books or do a puzzle.

Our cabin is very small. There is a kitchen/sitting room with a wooden table to sit at. Then, there's a small bedroom, in which the twin bed takes up most of the room and a bathroom that's so small, you can use the toilet and wash your hands at the same time! The shower is just as small. We have just enough hot water for the two of us to take quick showers. Even though we have small living quarters, it's a great experience.

In the mornings, Mom and I sometimes like to get up early. I drink hot chocolate, and she drinks her coffee. We watch the deer and her fawns play together near the edge of the forest as the sun rises. The fawns chase each other and kick up their heels and the doe even got in on the fun too. We'd go for walks in the afternoon along the club road some days. Our cabin is across the street from Lake Millecoquin.

During our girls' trip we always go to Mackinac Island for at least one or tow days. Mackinac Island is my favorite place in the worked. We take the Star Line Ferry from St. Ignace, which is about an hour away from Naubinway. The ferry ride is exciting with the waves crashing into the boat and a big "tail" of water shooting up from the back of the boat, making a little rainbow beside it.

Once we get to the island, we go shopping in the unique little shops that make up Main Street. We always have to get a Mackinac Island Fudge ice cream cone, and since the island is famous for it's fudge, we bring fudge home to the rest of our family. We walk along the streets and look at the beautiful old Victorian homes whose yards are filled with pretty spring flowers. No cars are allowed on the island, so you see many horses and carriages. Once, Mom and I went on a carriage ride with an old couple. It was really interesting to learn about the island and its history from our guide. We walked along the boardwalk in the cool breeze and the warm sunshine, seeing the pretty flowers with the lake and the Mackinac Bridge in the distance. Being on Mackinac Island is like stepping into another world.

The morning we left was very bittersweet. It was really hard to leave, but we were ready to get home to our family. As we drove down the club road, we saw the fog rising from Millecoquin Lake against the pine trees. It was as if the lake was giving us one last pretty view before we had to go. I watched Naubinway until it disappeared into the distance as we drove down U.S. 2, and we both dreamed of the trip we would take next year. when we would make more memories together that we would both treasure forever.

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The recipients are excited about their awards...anxious to see them published and anticipating your comments.

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1 Peter 1:24
For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,
1 Peter 1:23-25 (in Context)

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2009 Literary Contest...Third Place Winner

David Fulton
Wins Third Place

Learn more about past "Literary Contests."

David is a Junior at Lincoln Community High School and participates in concert, marching hands, FFA, school drama department plays, book review committee, and National Honor Society.

David also supports his community through his church choir, youth group band, local bluegrass band, and other community services.

As a 4-H member he has won various awards through the years.

David says he chose this drawing because it depicted agriculture. According to David..."Agriculture is my background and it is how I connect to home life. The title of this drawing is Checking the Yield. I think this drawing stands for much more. It is not just about corn, but rather agriculture itself. This drawing made me feel like I was getting ready for harvest in the country. It was inspiring to my agricultural background.

Congratulations David,
Marsha Robinett

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Here is David's descriptive essay...enjoy.

Checking the Yield...by David Fulton

Checking the yield is mostly associated with crops. Crops, to our family, symbolize faith in God. The crops that are planted every year are a gamble. You never know if the good Lord will produce enough rain to even grow your crop. Sometimes we receive too much rain, often resulting in flooding. Even great wind damage can ruin a farmer's income.

Watching corn grow is also an amusement for a farmer. The smooth, silky-green husk forming from a sprout is very significant. This is a good sign for a farmer. There is still worry a drought does not settle in and dry up the land. Farmers always hope for a good spring and summer. After they plant the seed, it is in God's hands.

A farmer puts forth much effort and hope that money will be made off of his or her bumper crop. There is only one thing a farmer can do during the progress of his or her crop growing. That is get ready for the harvest. Harvest is a very important time for the farmer. The work must be efficient and steady to get all the grain possible.

If God has truly blessed the farmer, they will receive a good price from the elevator for their grain. The grain is then used to feed people, livestock, and make fuel. This is all accompanied by God's watchful eye when checking the yield.

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The recipients are excited about their awards...anxious to see them published and anticipating your comments.

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Leviticus 26:4
I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit.
Leviticus 26:3-5 (in context)

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The Extraordinary Pencil...2009 literary contest winners

Art always tells us a story. In fact I believe there are two stories to be told...the one that inspires the artist and the one that inspires the viewer.

My hope each year is that through the writing process students will develop a greater appreciation for fine art of all types, and learn to view an original drawing, a painting, or even a piece of sculpture with a questioning mind.

This years contest has had several hurdles. The teacher who usually handles the contest had some medical issues and as you know I've had mine as well. The contest usually takes place during the first semester but this year, winners were not announced until the last week of school.

There has also been some difficulty with the students not complying with the rules. One of the requirements is that they send me an email copy of their entry. This makes posting here much easier and is just part of the learning process of 'following instructions'. Needless to say I'm disappointed in some of them and haven't yet decided whether to go ahead and take the time to post their entire essays or not.

This is the third year that I have sponsored this Literary Contest at Lincoln High School and it continues to grow. There more entries this year, and the quality of the writings submitted by the students just keeps getting better and better. The students entries are individually judged by a select group of teachers and the winners are announced in assembly.

As mentioned above, I usually publish them here on my blog. So far only one of the winners has complied with sending me an email copy of their winning essay. In the next couple of weeks I will post an exurb from each and a little about the author.

The drawings shown below are the ones the winners chose to write about.

Announcing the winners for 2009

First Place...Lilly Story with a short essay about "Sam"
Second Place...Shelby Kottemann with a short essay about "Girls Trip"
Third Place...David Fulton with a short essay about "Checking the Yield"


Be sure to check back next week. I will start by posting the third place winner David Fulton's essay...as thus far his is the only one I've received by email. It is a very well written essay about "Checking the Yield". A most enjoyable read.

Again...a Huge Congratulations...to the winners and a special thank you to all who took the time to enter.

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1 Chronicles 28:19
"All this," David said, "I have in writing from the hand of the LORD upon me, and he gave me understanding in all the details of the plan."
1 Chronicles 28:18-20 (in Context)

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2008 Literary Contest...1st

2008 First Place Winner: Kelsey Dallas

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Learn more about the "Literary Contest."

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Kelsey is a Senior at Lincoln Community High School, in Lincoln, Illinois and enjoys participating in soccer, tennis, and band...she is also a member of The National Honor Society, French Club, Fine Arts Club, and Scholastic Bowl. Kelsey is also active in her community as a member of the First Presbyterian Youth Group, LAMS, Community Orchestra, and the local staff of Dairy Queen. Kelsey was named the September Senior Student of the Month and was recently recognized as Scholar-Athlete of the Week by the Springfield State Journal Register. Kelsey hopes to someday be a writer after majoring in English at college.

Kelsey chose "Game, Set, Match" as her subject...because it related to her athletic life this fall. To quote Kelsey, "I was the number one player on the varsity tennis team and came just one set away from making it to state. By writing about this particular drawing I was able to heal emotionally after the heartbreaking loss. Tennis will always be beautiful to me no matter what my win\loss record is."

Congratulations Kelsey...Marsha Robinett

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This is Kelsey's winning poem...enjoy

...Game, Set, Match...
She reveled in the almost,
too stubborn to be sad,
because she could cry while smiling,
and throughout the pain be glad.

Glad to have had the chance to hear
her Mom and Dad cheer loud
while all the while she was losing hope,
falling prey to an opposing crowd.

She wasn't one for giving up-
an achiever if ever one lived.
But just this once she couldn't go on,
her soul had no strength left to give.

The sets were played out, the winner declared,
as the night grew colder still.
She offered herself up to history
an opponent just short of the kill.

She perished the thought of losing,
not quite the word to fit the scene.
For everyone who watched that night
knew the true victor was clothed in green.

There is no prize for coming close
and no way to prevent forgetting,
but in the moment she was a star
and the praise would not soon be quitting.

Praise that was given not to the winner
but to the one whose season had ended.
Because she had fought harder than all expected;
her soul needed to be mended.

She heard her coach's praise
as her Mom began to cry,
but most of all she saw the pride
as her Dad looked her in the eyes.

"It was the season of a lifetime
and you most assuredly did your best.
You must never wish for something different
no more or no less."

She'll move on with her life and never regret
as she becomes the next big thing,
while the tennis balls will forever remain
at rest upon her strings.

There's a lesson to be learned from her
though in truth she didn't quite win,
because she walked away happy,
and will someday play tennis again.

The matches won't be for glory.
There'll be no title to gain.
She'll play only for the enjoyment
and move past all the pain.

Yes she always sill remember
that night upon the court,
when from winning that final match,
she fell just achingly short.

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PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment
Let Kelsey know what you think about her poem.

2008 Literary Contest...2nd

2008 Second Place Winner: Amanda Podbelsek

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Learn more about the "Literary Contest."

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Amanda is a Senior at Lincoln Community High School in Lincoln, Illinois and participates in girls tennis and softball...she is also a member of Math Club, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and L.E.A.F. Club. After her completion of the fall tennis season, she received recognition as part of the All-Academic Conference Award. Amanda also holds the record for the most steals in a season for the high school softball program.

Amanda chose "Cracked on Black" as her subject...one of my personal favorites. To quote Amanda, "I was immediately drawn to the drawing because of the different textures and dimensions created by the tones of charcoal. When I first viewed the drawing, it actually made me feel calm and peaceful. However, I delved into the state of the egg yolk emerging into a new world and immediately made the connection to a Senior emerging into the world of adulthood."

Congratulations Amanda...Marsha Robinett

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This is Amanda's descriptive essay...enjoy

...Cracked on Black...

Dimension, detail, depth-all function together to capture the beauty of a commonplace occurrence in "Cracked on Black". In the work, Marsha Robinett uses charcoal to transform a broken egg into a masterpiece. By using the diagonal lines formed by the broken shell and the round curves of the shell, the artist direct the eye to the focal point of the portrait: the soft, round, vulnerable yoke. From it's white, protective shell, the yoke emerges into a bleak, black world. To me this vulnerable yoke symbolizes a Senior student who has fully emerged from the illusion of childhood and has found himself faced with the challenges of growing up.

A Senior in high school is overcome with fear once it finally sinks in that he will be sent off to college on his own. However, before the realization is accepted, a Senior has already begun to familiarize himself with adulthood. For instance, one has already obtained a driver's license, and extended curfew, and the ability to vote by the age of eighteen. The driver/s license prepares one for living on his own and being independent; the extended curfew teaches one not to abuse privileges; voting sympolizes independence as well, and is a privilege to express yourself. These stepping stones in life are a mere "warm-up" for transitioning from high school to college.

Once a Senior realizes that he will be sent off to college on his own, the first instinct is to freak out. An individual is faced with the question of how to pursue one's future. Also, at college one usually has to start from scratch: new friends, new school, new room-new everything. The realization is simply overwhelming and seems impossible. What most students forget is that others have overcome the same fears and challenges before: parents. Parents will always be there for you and have first hand experience to guide you.

Remember Seniors: don't be intimidated. Parents are not going to throw you, Seniors, to the wolves: they are going to prepare you, and help you along the way during college. Like the yolk in Marsha Robinett's portrait, it is natural for a Senior to feel vulnerable when first emerging from a protective shell into the new world of adulthood. However, with a supportive family, one will see that the new world isn't so bleak and black after all.

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PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment
Let Amanda know what you thought about her descriptive essay.

2008 Literary Contest...3rd

2008 Third Place Winner:
Matthew Merreighn

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Learn more about the "Literary Contest."

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Matthew is a Junior at Lincoln Community High School in Lincoln Illinois and is a member of the Creative Writing Club. He enjoys writing, solving puzzles, reading, TV, and video games. Matthew will graduate high school next year and is still unsure about plans for college.

Matthew chose "Midnight Rose" as his subject...because he likes roses. To quote Matthew, "Midnight Rose was my favorite of your drawings. People usually like roses for their color, and seeing a gray one was unusual, I found this interesting,"

Congratulations Matthew...Marsha Robinett

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This is Matthew's descriptive essay...enjoy

...The Gray Rose...

A gray rose is abnormal. To most eyes the gray rose lack beauty. The Gray Rose lacks the love of the Red Rose, the grace of the Pink Rose, the innocence of the White Rose, the passion of the Orange Rose, and the Mystery of the Blue Rose. But all Roses have green stems. Without petals all roses are the same. Even So, The Gray Rose is cast aside, for a more favorable, common color. But to a rare few, the Gray Rose is most desired. Not for it's beauty, but for it's uniqueness. It's gray petals do not wilt like other roses. The other roses will lose their petals, and lose their beauty. But the Grey Rose will be immortalized for it's uncommon color. As time progresses, people will realize the greatness of the Gray Rose, and in doing so the Gray Rose will become most desired. But only those who first recognized it's significance will have a Gray Rose of their own.

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PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment
Let Matthew know what you thought of his descriptive essay.

Announcing 2008 Literary Contest Winners

The Extraordinary Pencil
"Sponsors High School Literary Contest"

I am pleased to announce the winners of "The Second Annual High School Literary Contest". It is always fascinating to see which pieces of art are chosen by the students and learn why they were inspired by the piece. As I have said before, there are two stories to be told...the one that inspired me, the artist, and the one that inspires the viewer.

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First Place: Kelsey Dallas $50.00
Kelsey is a Senior at Lincoln Community High School and enjoys participating in soccer, tennis, and band...she is also a member of The National Honor Society, French Club, Fine Arts Club, and Scholastic Bowl. Kelsey is also active in her community as a member of the First Presbyterian Youth Group, LAMS, Community Orchestra, and the local staff of Dairy Queen. Kelsey was named the September Senior Student of the Month and was recently recognized as Scholar-Athlete of the Week by the Springfield State Journal Register. Kelsey hopes to someday be a writer after majoring in English in college.

Kelsey chose "Game, Set, Match" as the subject...because it related to her athletic life this fall. To quote Kelsey, "I was the number one player on the varsity tennis team and came just one set away from making it to state. By writing about this particular drawing I was able to heal emotionally after the heartbreaking loss. Tennis will always be beautiful to me no matter what my win/loss record is."

Second Place: Amanda Podbelsek $30.00
Amanda is a Senior at Lincoln Community High School and participates in girls tennis and softball...she is also a member of Math Club, National Honor society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and L.E.A.F. Club. After her completion of the fall tennis season, she received recognition as part of the All-Academic Conference Award. Amanda also holds the record for the most steals in a season for the high school softball program.

Amanda chose "Cracked on Black" as her subject...one of my personal favorites. To quote Amanda, "I was immediately draw to the drawing because of the different textures and the dimension created by the tones of charcoal. When I first viewed the drawing, it actually made me feel calm and peaceful. However, I delved into the state of the egg yolk emerging into a new world and immediately made the connection to a Senior emerging into the world of adulthood."

Third Place: Matthew Merreighn $20.00
Matthew is a Junior at Lincoln Community High School and is a member of the Creative Writing Club. He enjoys writing, solving puzzles, reading, TV, and video games. Matthew will be graduating high school next year and is still undecided about his plans for college.

Matthew chose "Midnight Rose" as his subject...because he likes roses. To quote Matthew, "Midnight Rose was my favorite of your drawings. People usually like roses for their color, and seeing a gray one was unusual, I found this interesting."


I want to thank all who took time to enter the contest. I enjoyed reading all your poems and descriptive essays...the quality of the entries simply gets better each year...we will definitely do this again.

Kelsey's poem, and the descriptive essays of Amanda and Matthew will be published in their entirety next month. Be sure to check back, I think you will enjoy reading them,

Congratulations To The Winners,
Marsha Robinett

PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Announcing...2008 Literary Contest

The Extraordinary Pencil
"Sponsors High School Literary Contest"

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This is the second year that I have sponsored the literary contest at our local High School. The information was submitted to the students some time ago...with the contest closing before Thanksgiving. We did it earlier this year in order to avoid the end of the year activities. I would expect to be announcing the winners sometime in December and posting their poems and essays in January, along with a short biography about the author.

As before, High School students are ask to submit a Poem or Descriptive Essay, using one of my Pencil Drawings as their subject and inspiration. There are over fifty drawings on my website to choose from. The $100 in prize money will be divided between first, second, and third place winners.

My hopes are that through the writing process the student will develop a greater appreciation for fine art of all types, and learn to view an original drawing, a painting, or even a piece of sculpture with a questioning mind. Art always tells us a story. In fact I believe there are two stories to be told...the one that inspires the artist and the one that inspires the viewer.

I hope you will return to the "Young Authors" section of my blog often and read "the story behind" the image that inspired their poems and essays.

PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment.

2007 Literary Contest...1st

2007 First Place Winner: Amanda Podbelsek

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Learn more about the "Literary Contest"

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Amanda Likes to read and is active in tennis, basketball, and softball. She is also a member of Math Club and The National Honor Society. Amanda plans to attend college after graduation and major in civil engineering with a minor in math.

Amanda chose "The Fork and Spoon Club" as her subject...which is one of my personal favorites. To quote Amanda, "My attention was first drawn to the two stubborn forks; they are the only pieces of silverware lying the opposite direction. As a high school student, the forks speak to me as a symbol of individuality."

Congratulations Amanda...Marsha Robinett

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This is Amanda's essay...enjoy!

...The Fork and Spoon Club...

"The Fork and Spoon Club" by Marsha Robinett, is a particularly eye-catching work. The artist's use of lighting, depth, and lines makes the work unique and shows how the artist captures the details and beauty in ordinary objects. Also, the contrasting lines formed by the two forks in the center make an appealing contrast to the diagonal lines made by the rest of the silverware in the drawer. My attention was first drawn to the two stubborn forks; they are the only pieces of silverware lying the opposite direction. As a high school student, the two forks speak to me as a symbol of individuality.

Students in high school have certain priorities: to have the right hair-do, to wear the name brand clothing, to follow in their sibling's flawless footsteps, and to have a date for prom. However, the main priority for most high school students is to feel accepted. One can accomplish this by being "cool", or hanging out with the popular people. Everyone goes along with one concept, one template: to be "cool" and do what is "cool". People become so committed to meeting their peer's standards and going with the flow, that they fail to even stop and question whether the decisions they are making are right. By doing what everyone else is doing, they forget to be self-reliant individuals. They no longer expresses who they really are, and in doing so do not express their individuality. Students should stop and reflect on whether they should make certain decisions just because "everyone else is doing it." By saying no to peer pressure and standing firm in one's true beliefs, one can feel proud and strong, and can say that he is a true individual.

From "The Fork and Spoon Club", one can be reminded that, "What is right is not always popular, and what is popular is not always right." Stand up for yourself. Be self-reliant, even if it means being different. Remember that by caving in to peer pressure you are surrendering your individuality. And, most importantly, be true to yourself because, in the end, that is all that really matters.

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PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment.
Amanda would love to know what you think of her essay.

2007 Literary Contest...2nd

2007
Second Place Winner: Michelle Koester

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Learn More about the "Literary Contest"

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Michelle is a 16 year old sophomore. She is involved in the Creative Writing Club and enjoys expressing herself through her poetry. Michelle wrote her poem using the drawing "Cracked on black" (pictured here) as her subject. for me, the artist, this drawing was all about shadows and reflections...for Michelle it was about "life" and just how fragile it can be.

Congratulations Michelle...Marsha Robinett

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This is Michelle's poem...enjoy!

...Cracked on Black...
I am completely broken
There's no saving me now
If mom saw me like this
She would probably have a cow
Pestering me constantly
She'd keep on asking how
How did I end up this way
Seems like you were fine just yesterday
And look at you now

My surroundings remind me
Of my fragile past
And the way I've let myself go
I don't know how long I can last

I guess that you could say
The way I was living wasn't smart
Before I couldn't see the damage I was doing
But now I see that I let my world fall apart

I'm begging for your help
Please come and save me
Because without anyone to hold me together
I've become quite lazy

I thought that doing what I wanted
Would come at a small cost
But now my dreams of ever becoming something
Are the dreams that I have lost.

With your help though
I could get them back
Keep moving forward without strife
Make sure I'm staying on the right track
Soaking in serenity now that would be the life.

I'm ready to be better
Eagerly awaiting a day without stress
Thank you so much for helping me out
In finding total happiness and success.

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PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment.
Be sure to let Mechelle know how her poem made you feel.

Announcing 2007 Literary Contest Winners

The Extraordinary Pencil
"Sponsors High School Literary Contest"

I am pleased to announce the winners of the "First Annual High School Literary Contest". It was interesting to see which of my drawings the students chose and how it stimulated their imaginations. In all cases the student was affected by the art in a way that I had never thought of. As I have said in the past, there are two stories to be told...the one that inspires the artist and the one that inspires the viewer. Every piece of art has many stories to tell if we simply stop long enough to observe.

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First Place: Amanda Podbelsek $50.00
Amanda likes to read and is active in tennis, basketball, and softball. She is also a member of Math Club and the National Honor society. Amanda plans to attend college after graduation and major in civil engineering with a minor in math.

Amanda chose "The Fork and Spoon Club" as her subject...which is one of my personal favorites. To quote Amanda, "My attention was first drawn to the two stubborn forks; they are the only pieces of silverware lying the opposite direction. As a high school student, the forks speak to me as a symbol of individuality....From "The Fork and Spoon Club", one can be reminded that, "What is right is not always popular, and what is popular is not always right."

Second Place: Michelle Koester $30.00
Michelle is a 16 year old sophomore. She is involved in the Creative Writing Club and enjoys expressing herself through her poetry.

Michelle's poem uses the drawing "Cracked on Black" as it's subject. For me, the artist, this drawing was all about shadows and reflections...for Michelle it was about "life" and just how fragile it can be. A quote from Michelle's poem.

" I am completely broken
There's no saving me now
If mom saw me like this
She would have a cow
Pestering me constantly
She'd keep on asking how
How did I end up this way
Seems like you were fine just yesterday
And look at you now."

Third Place: There was a third place winner chosen but I am sorry to say that it could not be awarded nor can her poem be posted because the recipient did not turn in the required signed release form.

I want to thank all who took the time in those last rushed days of the school year to enter the contest, and my congratulations to the winners...we will definitely do this again next year.

Amanda's descriptive essay and Michelle's poem will be published in their entirety next month. Be sure to check back, I think you will enjoy reading them.

Congratulations,
Marsha Robinett

PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

Announcing the "First Annual Literary Contest"

The Extraordinary Pencil

"Sponsors High School Literary Contest"

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High School students are ask to submit a Poem or Descriptive Essay...using one of my Pencil Drawings as their subject and inspiration. There are over forty drawings on my website now and as I finish my spring collection more will be added. The deadline for their entry is May 15, 2007. The contest will be presented to the students after Easter break. I would expect to be announcing winners on or before June 1. 2007.

There is $100 in prize money to be divided between the first, second, and third place winners. Their writings will be posted here on my blog with a short biography about the author.

My hopes are that through the writing process the student will develop a greater appreciation for fine art of all types, and learn to view an original drawing, a painting, or even a piece of sculpture with a questioning mind. Art always tells us a story. In fact I believe there are two stories to be told...the one that inspires the artist and the one that inspires the viewer.

I hope you will return to the "Young Authors" section of my blog often, and read "the story behind" the image that inspired their poems and essays.

PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment.