(above) Adriana Fernandez, a student at School No. 5 in Linden, beat all other fourth-graders to win first place in the “Young Writers of Union County” poetry contest celebrating Arbor Day.
Linden Fourth-Grader Wins Union County Poetry Contest Celebrating Trees
School No. 5 student Adriana Fernandez won first place among all fourth-graders in the “Young Writers of Union County” poetry contest celebrating Arbor Day.
Adriana’s poem is titled “My Pear Tree” and centers around how much joy the tree brings her.
“I tried to talk about how pretty the tree was,” she said, adding that the poem wasn’t based on a real tree but one she made up.
Elena DiMeo, Adriana’s teacher at School No. 5, was impressed by the poem even before it was submitted to the contest.
“When I read the poem myself, I really liked it,” she said. “Then out of the whole county to see her get this award, I was really pleased. It’s good!”
But Adriana’s success does not surprise her teacher.
“She’s a shy student when you first meet her, but as you get to know her she’s very charismatic,” DiMeo said. “She has a lot of personality. She’s very bright and is a hard worker.”
After winning, Adriana may focus more on her poetry.
“She’s in our talent show and she usually sings,” DiMeo said. “But after she learned that she won, she changed her talent to poetry. So she’s going to be reading poems for the talent show.”
Adriana was honored along with other winners at the May 16 freeholders meeting.
Photo by Linden Public Schools
(above) Adriana Fernandez with her teachers at School No. 5 in Linden, Kara-Lynne Frees-Spoganetz, left, and Elena DiMeo.
“The Pear Tree” by Adriana Fernandez
The tree blew slowly, calm and carefree.
The flowers bloom on the pear tree.
The bright orange sap rolled down the bark.
The tree stood tall in the middle of the park.
The sweet pear fell into the shade.
The is perfect for the picnic I made.
As I climb the tree, higher and higher up.
When I look down, I can see my blue tea cup.
As I climb down, I feel the leaves swarming around me with power.
I look around, and I see a pink flower.
There are many other trees as far as the eye can see,
But if you ask me, the best is this pear tree.
To save the trees, you have to do your part
Because seeing that tall pear tree warms my heart.
