Fifteen students have been named as the winners and finalists of the annual poem contest presented by Leopold’s Ice Cream and Live Oak Public Libraries. 

All winners and finalists were invited to read their poems at the Savannah City Council Meeting on Thursday, March 12th at 2pm in the Council Chambers, 2nd Floor of City Hall.  

The challenge was open to all students (public, private and homeschool) in Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties, and over 250 poems were submitted on the theme “Imagine Your Story”. 

“There were so many great entries from our local school children, and it’s apparent that the talent gets better with every new year,” said Stratton Leopold, of Leopold’s Ice Cream, “As we are currently celebrating 100 years of Leopold’s Ice Cream in Savannah, and this year more than ever, we wanted to pick the most creative, clever, inspiring and imaginative stories we could find.  I am so proud of our amazing young people.” 

This year’s winners include: 

K – 2

Winner: “I Am Clumsy and Funny” by Jamirah Brown, 2nd Grade, Garrison School for the Arts

Finalists:

“The Pasta Chef” by Caroline Black, 2nd Grade, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School 

“I Am Calm and Happy” by Ariyah Richardson, 2nd Grade, Garrison School for the Arts

3 – 5

Winner: “Whirlpool of Change” by Abbigail Mercer, 5th Grade, Tybee Island Maritime Academy

Finalists:

“Yellow” by Paloma Carnes, 4th Grade, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School 

“What If” by Ruby Robinson, 4th Grade, Veritas Academy

Honorable Mentions:

“Age” by Logan Smith, 5th Grade, Tybee Island Maritime Academy

“Where I’m From” by Gavin Reddick, 5th Grade, Garrison School for the Arts

6 – 8

Winner: “I Stand Among the Fans...” by Hannah Jane Gard, 7th Grade, Godley Station School

Finalists:

“The Luminescence of the Sky’s Crystal Ball” by Moheb Asimi, 8th Grade, Godley Station School

“I Look at the Moon” by Abigail Roberts, 7th Grade, Godley Station School

9 – 12

Winner: “A Cadence, A Heartbeat, A Lifetime” by Ashley Nicole Steward, 10th Grade, Bradwell Institute

Finalists:

“Dear Death” by Aniyah Jackson, 11th Grade, Woodville Tompkins Technical & Career High School

“Hashtag with a Trend” by Jakobe LeCount, 12th Grade, Woodville Tompkins Technical & Career High School

Honorable Mention:

“Capsize” by Ebony Hudson, 11th Grade, Woodville Tompkins Technical & Career High School

Each of the first-place winners will receive an ice cream party for their class, second and third place finalists will each receive a special gift certificate for Leopold’s Ice Cream.  

Stratton & Mary Leopold, longtime advocates of literacy and fostering creative energy in our youth, have hosted the annual competition, in conjunction with the Live Oak Public Libraries, since 2011.