Fairfax Parks Announce Poetry Contest Winners

Young poets will get their Game On with readings of their award-winning poetry during Springfest at Sully Historic Site on Saturday, April 27.

To honor National Poetry Month in April, the Park Authority asked young people in grades K-8 to submit poems inspired by the fun, joy and excitement found in Fairfax parks.

In response to an increase in submissions of outstanding poetry, the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Fairfax County Park Foundation awarded three winners in each category instead of two. The winners in each grade category of the poetry contest are:

GRADES K-2

  • Emma Davis of Alexandria, a kindergarten student at Mount Eagle Elementary School

  • Lauren Miller of Chantilly, a first-grader at Lees Corner Elementary School

  • Zoya Quraishi of Ashburn, a kindergarten homeschool student

GRADES 3-5

  • Elias Rhee of Fairfax, a fifth-grader at Mantua Elementary School

  • Naomi Rucker of Springfield, a fifth-grader at West Springfield Elementary School

  • Bianca Volociuc of Fairfax, a fourth-grader at Fairhill Elementary School

GRADES 6-8

  • Ashley Chon of Vienna, a sixth-grader at Colvin Run Elementary School

  • Aabaq Gaffar of Vienna, a sixth-grader at Mosby Woods Elementary School

  • Betty Schlageter-Prettyman of Vienna, a sixth-grader at Fairhill Elementary School

Stop by to hear these poets share their works at the Springfest Poetry Showcase at 10:30 a.m. April 27. The award winners will receive a $50 Park Authority gift card to allow them to continue exploring Fairfax parks all year long. This contest is sponsored by the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Fairfax County Park Foundation. Sully Historic Site is located at 3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly. For more information, email parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov or call the Public Information Office at 703-324-8662.