G.E.M.S. Student Authors Receive Recognition for their Poetry

Nine student authors from Gadsden Elementary Magnet School had their poems published in the
book “Empowered”. The book is a 2023 poetry collection published by the American Library of
Poetry. These students entered in the poetry contest given by the American Library of Poetry
each year and the institute chose their poems from thousands of submissions from students
across the country for publishing. Congratulations to these student authors for their fine
achievement.

Gadsden Elementary Magnet School Florida Light & Power Speech Contest
On January 12, 2024, students at Gadsden Elementary Magnet School held their annual school
wide Florida Light and Power Speech Contest. The Speech Contest was very competitive and a
huge success with Mrs. Kameelah Weeks, Mrs. Sarah Knight, and Mrs. Zola Akins serving as
judges. Division I consisted of students from grades fourth and fifth, while Division II consisted
of sixth graders. Our Division I winners were: 1 st Place, Kennedi Walker – “It’s Not Easy Being
Me”, 2 nd Place, Rhi’Asia Harrison – “Caterpillar into Butterfly” and 3 rd Place, Ke’Ionni
Thompkins – “Why is Cheerleading a Sport?” Our Division II winners were: 1 st Place,
Emmanuel Sancho – “Why the Piano is My Favorite Instrument”, 2 nd Place, Angel Lemus-
Hernandez – “My Experience with Technology”, and 3 rd Place, Zoe Zamora – “Chores”.
These students will go on to compete in the District-Wide Contest at the 4-H Extension Office on
January 25, 2024. Thanks to Ms. LaTasha Dilworth-Porter for facilitating this event.