2023 Grant Awards

MCEF Awards Over $18,500 to MCPS Educators in 2023

On December 4, 2023, the Montgomery County Educational Foundation (MCEF) held its 2023 Grant Awards Ceremony, where the Board of Directors awarded over $18,576 in grants to 20 projects and programs in Montgomery County Public Schools. The event, which began in 2012, honored both grant recipients and their sponsors who provided the funds for these grants. In 2011, the MCEF established endowment and grant funds with the Community Foundation of the New River Valley. To date, the MCEF has awarded over $343,000 to 343 projects and programs in Montgomery County Public Schools.

2020-2022 Grant Awards

MCEF Awards Over $51,000 to MCPS Educators in 2020-2022

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Montgomery County Educational Foundation (MCEF) was unable to hold its Annual Grant Awards Ceremony for three grant cycles. On December 4, 2023, the MCEF was finally able to hold a ceremony again where the Board of Directors honored its 2020, 2021, and 2022 grant recipients who were awarded over $51,163 in grants to 60 projects and programs in Montgomery County Public Schools during those years. To date, the MCEF has awarded over $324,000 to 323 projects and programs in Montgomery County Public Schools.

2022 Creative Writing & Poetry Contest Results

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High School Category (Grades 9-12)

1st place: “An Electric Dialectic” by Luke Buckwalter
2nd place: “Typewriter” by Eliana Lyons
3rd place: “I Like Dirt” by Emma Harvey
Honorable Mention: “Quarantine” by Abigail Epperson
Honorable Mention: “The List That Keeps On Giving” by Madi Mann

Middle School Category (Grades 6-8)

1st place: “Inventions and Innovations” by Addison McSorley
2nd place: “A Moment in Time” by Amrita Sarangi
3rd place: “Out of the Past, Into the Future” by Malia Buckwalter

Elementary Category (Grades 4-5)

1st place: “Stay” by Harper Scaggs
2nd place: “Poem of the Call” by Lara Obeidat
3rd place: “I” by Thu Doan
Honorable Mention: “Let’s Come Together” by Annie Allen

Primary Category (Grades 2-3)

1st place: “Women in the Past, Present, and Future” by Reagan White
2nd place: “Amelia Earhart” by Dalton Fowlkes
3rd place: “Jackie Paving the Way” by Jake Hayes
Honorable Mention: “Amelia Earhart” by Story Puckett

Download the winner profiles

2021 Creative Writing & Poetry Contest Results

Download the winner profiles

High School Category (Grades 9-12)

1st Place - Poetry Kirk, BHS, “Music Through the Ages”
2nd Place - Cassidy Ackerman-Garvin, BHS, “World On the Horizon”
3rd Place - Lawrence Wang, BHS, “How Music Has Influenced Me and Others”

Middle School Category (Grades 6-8)

1st - Place - Brooke Haines, SMS, “Rocket 88”
2nd Place - Emma Harvey, BMS, “A Love Letter to Music”
3rd Place - Anima Baral, CMS, “How Rock ‘N’ Roll Helped My Mom Fight Cancer”
Honorable Mention - Abigail Hewitt, CMS, “This Is Rock, That Is Roll, and These Are the People”
Honorable Mention - Madden Hebdon, BMS, “Let the Music Go On”

Elementary Category (Grades 4-5)

1st Place - Miriam Annika Lee, KES, “Dear Rock ‘N’ Roll”
2nd Place - Ross Stewart, KES, “Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll”
3rd Place - Malia Buckwalter, AES, “Music Everywhere”
Honorable Mention - Sadie Zhang, KES, “Rock ‘N’ Roll and Civil Rights”

Primary Category (Grades 2-3)

1st Place - Dara Wyatt, GLES, “The Shaping of My Life”
2nd Place - Forrester Maxwell, GLES, “At the Rock and Roll Show”
3rd Place - Lillian Hernberger, GLES, “Rock With Me”

2020 Creative Writing & Poetry Contest Results

Download the winner profiles

High School Category (Grades 9-12)

1st Place - River Jordan Ostrander, 9th grade, BHS, “Earth Has the Word Ear in It”
2nd Place - Trevor Smith, 11th grade, BHS, “A Quiet Moment”
3rd Place - Gavin Paye, 10th grade, BHS, “Don’t Worry”
Honorable Mention - Karen Villanueva, 10th grade, BHS, “Remember”; Karah McClafferty, 10th grade, BHS, “I Remember”; Trevor Smith, 11th grade, BHS, “Dandelion Candles”

Download the winning High School entries

Middle School Category (Grades 6-8)

1st Place - Ruby Warnick, 7th grade, BMS, “Pansy”
2nd Place - Theo Villanueva, 8th grade, BMS, “Mother Earth. I Am Not Okay”
3rd Place - Luke Buckwalter, 8th grade, AMS, “A Man of Despair”
Honorable Mention - Jenna Saia, 6th grade, CMS, “Imagine”; Kyler Williams, 7th grade, BMS, “Every Day Is Earth Day”; Poetry Kirk, 8th grade, BMS, “Wistful Dreams” & “Our New Lands”

Download the winning Middle School entries

Elementary Category (Grades 4-5)

1st Place - Adeline Elder, 4th grade, HAES, “Lio and the Earth”
2nd Place - Sadie Zhang, 4th grade, KES, “Grass and Sky: An Earth Day Conversation”
3rd Place - Zora Heflin, 5th grade, PFES, “When Earth Day Comes”
Honorable Mention - Katie Blanchard, 5th grade, PFES, “The Tradition”; Sophina Driggs, 4th grade, PFES, “Earth Day”

Download the winning Elementary entries

Primary Category (Grades 2-3)

1st Place - Zaid Hikal, 3rd grade, KES, “The Color of Our Earth”
2nd Place - Brooklyn Marie Smith, 3rd grade, CES, “Protect the Earth”
3rd Place - Emily Katz, 3rd grade, KES, “50th Earth Day”
Honorable Mention - Madeline Saia, 3rd grade, FBES, “The Earth Is Worth Saving”; Everett McGlothlin, 3rd grade, GLES, “Bad Pollution”

Download the winning Primary entries

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2019 Grant Awards

MCEF Awards Over $35,000 to MCPS Educators in 2019

On December 18, 2019, the Montgomery County Educational Foundation (MCEF) held its Annual Grant Awards Ceremony, where the Board of Directors awarded over $35,617 in grants to 43 projects and programs in Montgomery County Public Schools, bringing the total awarded in 2019 to $35,617. The annual event, which began in 2012, honored both grant recipients and their sponsors who provided the funds for these grants. In 2011, the MCEF established endowment and grant funds with the Community Foundation of the New River Valley. To date, the MCEF has awarded over $272,000 to 262 projects and programs in Montgomery County Public Schools.

2019 Creative Writing & Poetry Contest Results

High School Category (Grades 9-12)

1st Place - Karah McClafferty, BHS 9th Grade, “The Life of Time”
2nd Place - Crista Ramsey, BHS 12th Grade, “A Little Dash of This”
3rd Place - Skyler Mawby, BHS 9th Grade, “Our Next Giant Leap”

Download the winning High School entries

Middle School Category (Grades 6-8)

1st Place - Kailin Phillips, AMS 7th Grade, “The Journey”
2nd Place - Kaleigh Brein, SMS 7th Grade, “New Space”
3rd Place - McKinley Owczarski, BMS 6th Grade, “Giant Leap in Space”
Honorable Mention - Emma Harvey, BMS 6th Grade, “Destination”, & Edric Zhang, BMS 8th Grade, “A Giant Leap”

Download the winning Middle School entries

Elementary Category (Grades 4-5)

1st Place - Jennifer Pertchik, HAES 5th Grade, “The Raging Planet”
2nd Place - Miles Johnson, PFES 5th Grade, “Excerpt from Summoner’s Bane”
3rd Place - Ione Donoso, PFES 5th Grade, “One Small Step”

Download the winning Elementary entries

Primary Category (Grades 2-3)

1st Place - Aron Wang, KES 3rd Grade, “Our Next Giant Leap”
2nd Place - Malia Buckwalter, AES 3rd Grade, “Apollo 50”
3rd Place - Emily Katz, KES 2nd Grade, “The Ocean Explorers”
Honorable Mention - Sadie Zhang, KES 3rd Grade, “A Perfect World”

Download the winning Primary entries

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2018 Grant Awards

MCEF Awards Over $42,000 to MCPS Educators in 2018

On Dec. 20th, the Montgomery County Educational Foundation (MCEF) held its Annual Grant Awards Ceremony, where the Board of Directors awarded over $41,500 in grants to educators in Montgomery County Public Schools, bringing the total awarded in 2018 to $42,166. The annual event, which began in 2012, honored both grant recipients and their sponsors who provided the funds for these grants. In 2011, the MCEF established endowment and grant funds with the Community Foundation of the New River Valley. To date, the MCEF has awarded over $237,000 to 219 projects and programs in Montgomery County Public Schools.

            Connie Froggatt, MCEF President and Montgomery Co. School Board Vice Chair, highlighted the growth of the Foundation since the inception of the educator grant program. “At our first grant ceremony in 2012, we awarded just over $2,800 in grants. This year, we’re awarding over $41,500!” The Foundation was recently honored for their service to MCPS by the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce with their Non-Profit of the Year - Humanitarian Award for 2018.

            The MCEF was originally created as a non-profit pass-through mechanism for Montgomery Co. Public Schools in 1987. After the recession of 2008, which brought deep cuts in education funding, a group of public education advocates refocused the Foundation and established a new Board of Directors to raise private funds in support of PreK-12 public education in Montgomery County. Those individuals included School Board members Phyllis Albritton and Joe Ivers, now retired, and several private donors. The all-volunteer Board of Directors grew over the years and now includes the Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Miear, School Board Members Connie Froggatt and Marti Graham, MCPS teachers and staff, retired MCPS teachers, business leaders, and community members.

            Froggatt credits the work of the Board and the support of the community for the exponential growth in grant funds. This year grant sponsors included 100+ Women Who Care NRV, Phyllis Albritton, Corning Inc. Foundation, Dr. Mark and Connie Froggatt, MCPS Employees, Wells Fargo Foundation, Gay and Neel Inc., Domino’s Pizza, Susan Miller, Starbucks, and Dr. Jon and Jill Maher.

18 out of 20 schools in the county will benefit from at least one of over 38 programs funded in 2018 by the MCEF. Awards ranged from $300 to $4,000 in a variety of areas including STEM, visual and performing arts, afterschool enrichment programs, technology, student engagement, mental health, mentoring programs, lab equipment, professional development, fieldtrips, project-based learning, and school clubs.

2018 Creative Writing & Poetry Contest Results

High School Category (Grades 9-12)

1st Place - Sebastian Kocz, BHS 11th Grade, "Hope"
2nd Place - Jenna Massey, BHS 10th Grade, "My Dream"
3rd Place - Erin Hansbrough, BHS 11th Grade, "A Dream"
Honorable Mention - Elliot Shadle, BHS 9th Grade, "Dreams of Jupiter" & Ulysses Forte, BHS 11th Grade, "The Den"

Download the winning entries in the High School Category

Middle School Category (Grades 6-8)

1st Place - Zoe Zimmerman, BMS 7th Grade, "If Dreams Were Silver Birds"
2nd Place - Rose Cook, BMS 7th Grade, "Synchronized Fantasies"
3rd Place - Sam Woolsey, BMS 7th Grade, "A Temptcurious Train of Thought"
Honorable Mention - Lindsay Santos, BMS 7th Grade, "This Dream of Mine"

Download the winning entries in the Middle School Category

Elementary Category (Grades 4-5)

1st Place - Abigail Hewitt, CES 5th Grade, "I Have a Dream, In the Spotlight"
2nd Place - Emma Harvey, PFES 5th Grade, "I Wish They Could See the Music in Their Eyes"
3rd Place - Trent Hollandsworth, AES 5th Grade, "Olympic Dreams"
Honorable Mention - Naisha Hudait, GLES 4th Grade, "I Have a Dream" & Téa Bissell, KES 5th Grade, "I Have a Dream"

Download the winning entries in the Elementary Category

Primary Category (Grades 2-3)

1st Place - Heidi Swartzwelder, MBES 3rd Grade, "Peace"
2nd Place - Aron Wang, KES 2nd Grade, "I Have Big Dreams"
3rd Place - Isabella Albert, FBES 2nd Grade, "I Have a Dream"
Honorable Mention - Lucas Sawyers, CES 3rd Grade, "I Have a Dream to be a Proc Soccer Player"

Download the winning entries in the Primary Category

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2017 Grant Awards

MCEF Awards Over $40,000 to MCPS Educators in 2017

On Dec. 19th, the Montgomery County Educational Foundation (MCEF) held its Annual Grant Awards Ceremony, where the Board of Directors awarded over $36,000 in grants to educators in Montgomery County Public Schools, bringing the total awarded in 2017 to $40,289.49. The annual event, which began in 2012, honored both grant recipients and their sponsors who provided the funds for these grants. In 2011, the MCEF established endowment and grant funds with the Community Foundation of the New River Valley. To date, the MCEF has awarded over $192,000 to 180 projects and programs in Montgomery County Public Schools.

Connie Froggatt, MCEF President and Montgomery Co. School Board Vice Chair, highlighted the growth of the Foundation since the inception of the educator grant program. “At our first grant ceremony in 2012, we awarded just over $3,500 in grants. This year, we’re awarding over $36,000!”

The MCEF celebrated its 30th birthday on Dec. 9th. It was originally created as a non-profit pass-through mechanism for Montgomery Co. Public Schools. After the recession of 2008, which brought deep cuts in education funding, a group of public education advocates refocused the Foundation and established a new Board of Directors to raise private funds in support of PreK-12 public education in Montgomery County. Those individuals included School Board members Phyllis Albritton and Joe Ivers, now retired, and several private donors. The all-volunteer Board of Directors grew over the years and now includes the Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Miear, School Board Member Connie Froggatt, MCPS teachers and staff, retired MCPS teachers, business leaders, and community members.

Froggatt credits the work of the Board and the support of the community for the exponential growth in grant funds. This year grant sponsors included 100+ Women Who Care NRV, Phyllis Albritton, Corning Inc. Foundation, Dr. Mark and Connie Froggatt, Montgomery Co. Retired Teachers Assoc., Freedom First Credit Union, MCPS Employees, Wells Fargo Foundation, Gay and Neel Inc., Blacksburg Jr. Women’s Club, Susan Miller, Kevin and Melissa Proudfoot, Starbucks, Branch and Assoc., Dr. Jon and Jill Maher, Dr. John and Sharen Hillison, and Dr. Michael Wright.

Every school in the county will benefit from at least one of over 40 programs funded in 2017 by the MCEF. Awards ranged from $132 to $2,000 in a variety of areas including STEM, visual and performing arts, afterschool enrichment programs, technology, student engagement, mental health, physical fitness, mentoring programs, lab equipment, professional development, fieldtrips, project-based learning, and school clubs. Grant recipients included teachers, administrators, PTAs, and even one student.

2017 Poetry & Creative Writing Contest Results

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In 20 Years...

2017 MCEF Poetry & Creative Writing Contest

Futurists believe the next 20 years will make the last 20 years look like nothing really happened. What do you think? How will our world, our lives, and ourselves be different in 20 years? 

Those were the questions to be answered in the 2017 MCEF Poetry & Creative Writing Contest.

High School Category (Grades 9-12)

1st Place - Melanie Fleischer, CHS 10th Grade, "The Boy I Met 23 Years Ago"
2nd Place - Karly Custer, CHS 11th Grade, "Gold Over Chrome"
3rd Place - Audrey Jones, CHS 10th Grade, "I Hope"

Download the winning high school entries

Middle School Category (Grades 6-8)

1st Place - Trevor Smith, BMS 8th Grade, "The Von Neumann Machine"
2nd Place - Karen Villanueva, BMS 7th Grade, "In Twenty Years"
3rd Place - Skyler Mawby, BMS 7th Grade, "In 20 Years"
Honorable Mention - Kolby Brown, CMS 8th Grade, "A Colorful Jewel" & Ulysses Gabriele, BMS 7th Grade, "The Year 2037"

Download the winning middle school entries

Elementary Category (Grades 4-5)

1st Place - Ryan Zhao, GLES 5th Grade, "A Dream In the Future"
2nd Place - Sriya Sridhar, GLES 5th Grade, "The Bright Future"
3rd Place - Annabel de Souza, KES 4th Grade, "20 Years Later"
Honorable Mention - Abigail Hewitt, CES 4th Grade, "Future Inventions" & Jian Kim, KES 5th Grade, "2037: What Will Happen"

Download the winning elementary entries

Primary Category (Grades 2-3)

1st Place - Alexa Rascher, GLES 3rd Grade, "True Love"
2nd Place - Eila Tauzell, KES 2nd Grade, "When I Grow Up"
3rd Place - Abigail Massie, AES 2nd Grade, "Into the Future"
Honorable Mention - Kyla Venteicher, CES 3rd Grade, "In 20 Years" & Sepehr Agah, GLES 3rd Grade, "Life In 20 Years"

Download the winning primary entries

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2016 Poetry Contest Results

Montgomery County Educational Foundation

2016 Poetry Contest

Contest Theme: "Animals Add Life."

Prizes were awarded and winning entries were displayed at the MCEF Wizards vs. Mortals Basketball Game May 6, 2016 @ 7:00 PM, Christiansburg High School.

High School Category (Grades 9-12)

1st - "Two Heroes" by Bethany Hsiao, 9th Grade
2nd - "A Little Sparrow's Sonnet" by Olympia Ghosh, 9th Grade
3rd - "Morning Song" by Vera Villanueva, 12th Grade
Honorable Mention - "A Girl's Best Friend" by Rachel Pauli, 12th Grade, "All The Things You Taught Me" by Alexandra Barrett, 9th Grade

Download the winning High School entries

Middle School Category (Grades 6-8)

1st - "Who Are We?" by Brenan Poff, 6th Grade
2nd - "Fido" by Elliot Shadle, 7th Grade
3rd - "The World's Most Precious Prize" by Cara Couch, 6th Grade
Honorable Mention - "A Girl's Best Friend" by Melissa Meng, 8th Grade, "Animals Add Life" by Ella Hopkins, 6th Grade

Download the winning Middle School entries

Elementary Category (Grades 4-5)

1st - "To Add Life" by Zoe Zimmerman, 5th Grade
2nd - "Spirit Animals" by Jazmyn White, 5th Grade
3rd - "Midnight Howl" by Norah Guillot, 5th Grade
Honorable Mention - "Animals Add Life To Me" by Leah Rockwell, 5th Grade, "Cooled and Free" by Noah Davis, 4th Grade

Download the winning Elementary entries

Primary Category (Grades 2-3)

1st - "Animal Senses" by Ruby Warnick, 3rd Grade
2nd - "Animal Ways" by Ahona Sarder, 3rd Grade
3rd - "The Way Animals Are" by Aheli Sarder, 3rd Grade
Honorable Mention - "Joyful Creatures" by Isabelle Petry, 3rd Grade, "My Cat, Gus" by Jack Hanowski, 3rd Grade

Download the winning Primary entries

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2015 Poetry Contest Results

Montgomery County Educational Foundation

2015 Poetry Contest

This year's theme was: "WHAT MAKES ME SMILE?"

Prizes were awarded in each of the following categories:
High School - Grades 9-12 Elementary - Grades 4-5
Middle School - Grades 6-8 Primary - Grades 2-3
1st Place - Apple iPad Mini 16GB Wi-Fi with Retina Display
2nd Place - $50 Gift Card 3rd Place - $25 Gift Card

Winning entries were displayed at the MCEF Benefit Concert and Raffle March 28, 2015 @ 7:00 PM, Blacksburg Presbyterian Church.

2015 Winners:

High School Category (Grades 9-12)
1st - "The Ocean" by Neha Hudait, 9th grade
2nd - "One Word" by Jessy Martin, 9th gradel
3rd - "Smiles for Each Season" by Emily Peacock, 10th grade
Honorable Mention - ""All the Things I Have Seen" by Judith Tauber, 10th grade
"My Nanny" by Brenna Woodrum, 10th grade

Middle School Category (Grades 6-8)
1st - "Fireworks" by Ella Warnick, 7th grade, Blacksburg Middle School
2nd - "The Little Girl" by Bethany Hsiao, 8th grade, Blacksburg Middle School
3rd - "Sunrise Feet" by Dawn Stanger, 6th grade, Auburn Middle School
Honorable Mention - "Those Little Things" by Roshie Xing, 8th grade Blacksburg Middle School

Elementary Category (Grades 4-5)
1st - "Memories Make Me Smile" by Evelyn Cameron, 5th grade, Gilbert Linkous Elem. School
2nd - "What Makes Me Smile" by Sidnie Saville, 5th grade, Margaret Beeks Elem. School
3rd - "What Makes Me Smile" by Chelsea Kaylor, 4th grade, Falling Branch Elem. School
Honorable Mention - "What Makes Me Smile" by Emma Byrd, 4th grade Kipps Elem. School

Primary Category (Grades 2-3)
1st - " "Tons of Things That Make Me Smile" by Valeria Castillo, 2nd grade, Eastern Montgomery Elem. School
2nd - "Smiling Acrostic" by Ella Prevette, 3rd grade, Gilbert Linkous Elem. School
3rd - "I Smile" by Isabelle Petry, 2nd grade Falling Branch Elem. School
Honorable Mention - "Spring Fun" by Casey Rennecker, Grade 3, Kipps Elementary School
Honorable Mention - "What Makes Me Smile" by Lindsay Santos, 3rd grade, Gilbert Linkous Elem. School

Winning Poems:

HIGH SCHOOL
-----------------------

The Ocean

The sea is calm and quiet,
As I walk along the shore.
Breathing in the salty morning air,
Here is where I am content.

The waves dance as I swim,
Paddling towards them.
Glimmering and glowing,
As I ride them on my board.

I lay down in the sand,
And watch the children play.
As they smile and laugh,
I can't help but feel the same.

The sea is loud and roaring,
As I run across the sand.
The ocean plays a melody,
As I dance to the song.

The surroundings are all a blur,
As it's just me and the ocean.
My utopia,
My eternal source of happiness.

By Neha Hudait
9th Grade
Blacksburg High School

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One Word

Why can't I remember this one word, when it's so simple?
Have you ever had a word, just sitting there, on the tip of your tongue?
Have you ever needed a word, to describe how you feel, and not known it?
Or do you know the word, but it doesn't know you?
Don't you know that words have to choose you?
You don't choose the words you say. They choose you to get across their point.
When one rebels, you can only stutter. 
However, when the words agree with you--
An essay that could redefine essays is written.
A speech that could motivate the world to take action is spoken.
A break-up song worthy of Taylor Swift is sung.
A love story comparable to Shakespeare's best work is told.
When words collaborate with people, and people use words like they hold a newborn baby, I smile.

By Jessy Martin
9th Grade
Blacksburg High School

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Smiles for Each Season

Summer sun
Autumn breeze
Winter snow
Spring rain

Playful pups
Water fights

Leaf piles
School supplies

Snowball fights
Hot chocolate

Rain boots
Farmers market

By Emily Peacock
10th Grade
Blacksburg High School

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All the Things I Have Seen

Of all the things that I have seen
And of all the places I have been,
These are the things that made me smile:
A herd of wind-blown horses, galloping single file,
A blue-green butterfly, and anything marine.

I have seen
A hummingbird outside my window, its tiny feathers a soft, lush green.
I have been to Paris, where I enjoyed some excellent cuisine,
And in the Mediterranean, with a turtle, I swam- for a while.

I have seen
Waves cascading onto a sandy shore, and touched the wild ocean's silky sheen.
I've enjoyed the setting sun's warm, golden gleam
And slept in a hammock, just a bit longer, and just for a while,
Though I would have preferred to be under a palm tree on an emerald isle.
What is yet to come, and what is soon to make me smile, remains to be seen. 

By Judith Tauber
10th Grade
Blacksburg High School

---

My Nanny

My Nanny makes me smile every day.
I know she is looking down saying, "Hey."
Even though she is no longer here,
I know that she will always be near.
Watching me from high in the sky,
All the time as the days go by.
Maybe one day I'll see her again.
But until then...
She will always make me smile even though she is far away,
Because I know she is watching over me every day.

By Brenna Woodrum
10th Grade
Blacksburg High School

---

GRADES 2-5
-----------------------

Tons of Things That Make Me Smile

There are tons of things that make me smile
Like wearing my pink glittery bow
Or making snow angels in the snow
Helping to decorate the Christmas tree
And playing tag with my daddy
There are tons of things that make me smile
Like putting on puppet shows instead of watching TV
Or spending time with people who are special to me
Piggy back riding on my dad
And getting in a hug when I'm feeling sad
There are tons of things that make me smile
Like watching my favorite show Tom & Jerry
Or getting a visit from the tooth fairy
The friendly company of a friend when I'm alone
Or mastering the art of skipping stones
There are tons of things that make me smile
Like feeding animals at the zoo
Or walking around in my pink tutu
Remembering silly memories of friends who are gone
And getting my hair cut at the salon
There are tons of things that make me smile
Like planning a royal tea party
Or falling asleep to my favorite book the giving tree
Like taking a picture with a real bearded Santa (I always check)
Or having a play date with my best friend Samantha
There are tons of things that make me smile, to name them all it would take a while.

By Valeria Castillo
2nd Grade
Eastern Montgomery Elementary

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Smiling Acrostic

When someone is happy
Handmade gifts
Abstract paintings
Talking with friends
My little brothers
Architecture
Koalas
Eating ice cream
Singing
Making new friends
Easter eggs
Springtime
Millions of daisies in a pasture
Icicles
Little babies
Elegant dresses

By Ella Prevette
3rd Grade
Gilbert Linkous Elementary

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I Smile

I smile when I get something new
I smile when I see a horse at the zoo
I smile when I get to school each day
I smile when I am surprised, okay?

I smile when I see Noah on the bus
I smile when Daddy is with us
I smile when we have family game night
I smile when I go on a trip or a flight

I smile when I get things right on a test
I smile when I find something lost on my quest
I smile to the camera when I hear "say cheese"
I smile when Mommy reminds me to say "please"

By Isabelle Petry
2nd Grade
Falling Branch Elementary

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What Makes Me Smile

What makes me smile is the sunshine
Having cupcakes and donuts
A big smile on everyone's face
The playful animals jumping outside

Making my friends happy and cheerful
Always trying to enjoy myself
Kites in the sky flying everywhere
Every sunrise and sunset
Snowball fights

Meeting new people
Eating new foods

Sweet babies smiling
Moving to the beat of music
In the grass with beautiful flowers
Laughter in the air
Everything can make me smile

By Lindsay Santos
3rd Grade
Gilbert Linkous Elementary

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Memories Make Me Smile

I remember the time I went skiing,
I remember the time I was in a play,
I remember the time I wrote a story, oh what a wonderful thing.

I remember the time I went fishing,
I remember the time I saw a movie,
I remember the time I went to Mexico, it was the vacation for which I was wishing.

I remember the time we had Daisy,
I remember the time I had a sleepover,
I remember the time we got Wendy as a pup she was really crazy.

By Evelyn Cameron
5th Grade
Gilbert Linkous Elementary

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What Makes Me Smile

What makes me smile...
The breeze blowing in my face,
The sun beating down on my body,
Swimming with my family,
All my friends and their funny jokes.
All of that makes me smile,
My animals and showing keeps me smiling too.
There is one more thing that makes me smile the most,
Other happy and smiling people.

By Sidnie Saville
5th Grade
Margaret Beeks Elementary

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What Makes Me Smile

What makes me smile are the good things in life, my friends, my family and good sleep.
What makes me smile is running a mile down the aisle with my ally colleague dare I say friend.
What makes me smile is my church family because friends and family make me feel good.
What makes me smile is the sun that shines above the earth's blessings of warmth.
What makes me smile is when I fall down the people that care for me always pick me up.
What makes me smile is the blessing of food, water, shelter, clothing and warmth.
What makes me smile is to go to school and enjoy the fun and learning.
What makes me smile is to think about my wonderful life.
What makes me smile is a nice kind hug to just turn that frown upside down.
What makes me smile is to look at the bright positive side of life rather than to think negatively. I just like to smile but not only I smile, but I also like to spread kind, joyful positivity so everyone is happy in this entire world.

By Chelsea Kaylor
4th Grade
Falling Branch Elementary

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What Makes Me smile

I like cute little puppys and hugs too
Reading and skiing with warm winter coats
Looking at little animals with big eyes
Snuggles with parents
Playing with pets
And last, but not least, I come to the best
Making someone else smile!

By Emma Byrd
4th Grade
Kipps Elementary

2014 Poetry Contest Results

Montgomery County Educational Foundation

2014 Poetry Contest

Sponsored by Sylvan Learning Center - Christiansburg

This year's theme was: "NATURE'S BEAUTY"

Prizes were be awarded in each of the following categories:
High School - Grades 9-12 Elementary - Grades 4-5
Middle School - Grades 6-8 Primary - Grades 2-3
1st Place - Apple iPad Mini 16GB Wi-Fi
2nd Place - $50 Gift Card 3rd Place - $25 Gift Card

Prizes will be awarded and winning entries will be displayed at the MCEF Benefit Concert and Raffle March 1, 2014 @ 7:00 PM, Blacksburg Presbyterian Church

2014 Winners:

High School Category (Grades 9-12)
1st - "Lock and Key" by Mikayla Richardson, Grade 10, Christiansburg High School
2nd - "Stepping Outside" by Verity O'Connell, Grade 10, Blacksburg High School
3rd - "Grand Old Mountains" by Vera Villanueva, Grade 10, Blacksburg High School
Honorable Mention - "Virginia Seasons" by Cody Claxton, Grade 12, Eastern Montgomery High School

Middle School Category (Grades 6-8)
1st - "This Land - Our Land" by Roshie Xing, Grade 7, Blacksburg Middle School
2nd - "The Night" by Rebekah Driscoll, Grade 7, Blacksburg Middle School
3rd - "Mother" by Elizabeth Ferguson, Grade 7, Blacksburg Middle School
Honorable Mention - "The Magnificent Mountains" by Bethany Hsiao, Grade 7, Blacksburg Middle School
Honorable Mention - "Snowflakes" by Emma Katherine Cook, Grade 7, Blacksburg Middle School

Elementary Category (Grades 4-5)
1st - "Jewels of Nature" by Daniel Murray, Grade 5, Kipps Elementary School
2nd - "The Cycle of Nature's Beauty" by Ivy Robinson, Grade 5, Kipps Elementary School
3rd - "Beauty of the Seasons" by John Taylor Scott, Grade 5, Falling Branch Elementary School
Honorable Mention - "Mother Nature" by Julietta Martinez-Leal, Grade 4, Belview Elementary School
Honorable Mention - "Nature's Glory" by Haley Farmer, Grade 5, Belview Elementary School

Primary Category (Grades 2-3)
1st - "Appalachian Nature" by Poetry Renae Kirk, Grade 2, Prices Fork Elementary School
2nd - "The River" by Jonathan Henry Distler, Grade 3, Margaret Beeks Elementary School
3rd - "Mother Nature's Dance" by Zoe Zimmerman, Grade 3, Harding Avenue Elementary School
Honorable Mention - "Spring Fun" by Casey Rennecker, Grade 3, Kipps Elementary School
Honorable Mention - "Animals Like Animals" by Alice Quigley, Grade 2, Harding Avenue Elementary School

2013 Poetry Contest Results

High School Category (Grades 9-12):
1st - Vera Villanueva, 9th grade, Blacksburg High School
2nd - Sarah Sallee, 9th grade, Blacksburg High School
3rd - Cassandra Hanson, 11th grade, Christiansburg High School
Honorable Mention - Onyia Griffith, 9th grade, Christiansburg High School

Middle School Category (Grades 6-8):
1st - Brynn Yaun, 6th grade, Blacksburg Middle School
2nd - Sylvia Conner, 8th grade, Blacksburg Middle School
3rd - Anya Robbins, 6th grade, Auburn Middle School
Honorable Mention - Markley Bortz, 6th grade, Blacksburg Middle School
Honorable Mention - Joseph Mukuni, 6th grade, Blacksburg Middle School
Honorable Mention - Heeju Lim, 7th grade, Blacksburg Middle School

Elementary Category (Grades 4-5):
1st - Ella Warnick, 5th grade, Margaret Beeks Elementary School
2nd - Emily Barron, 5th grade, Margaret Beeks Elementary School
3rd - Grace Sallee, 5th grade, Kipps Elementary School
Honorable Mention - Kyrra Winters, 5th grade, Christiansburg Elementary School
Honorable Mention - Shreyas Bera, 4th grade, Gilbert Linkous Elementary School

Primary Category (Grades 2-3):
1st - Lilyanne Rascher, 2nd grade, Belview Elementary School
2nd - Lianna Almeida, 3rd grade, Prices Fork Elementary School
3rd - Zachary Swartzwelder, 3rd grade, Margaret Beeks Elementary School
Honorable Mention - Norin Bortz, 3rd grade, Kipps Elementary School
Honorable Mention - Kyleigh Phillips, 3rd grade, Christiansburg Elementary School

From left: Montgomery County Public Schools superintendent Brenda Blackburn with 2013 Poetry Contest winners Vera Villanueva, Brynn Yaun, Ella Warnick, and Lilyanne Rascher. Thanks to everyone who participated, we look forward to seeing more great poetry next year!