Taylor School Student Wins Top Prize in National Poetry Contest

TROY, NY (03/27/2012)(readMedia)-- Juliet Mankin, a students in the 3-4 grade class at the Susan Odell Taylor School in Troy, placed first in the national Pets Add Life poetry contest. The contest sponsored by American Pet Products Association, in it's fourth year, invites kids in grades 3rd-8th to write a unique poem about their pets, what they love about them, and the joys they bring. The poems were judged on creativity, clarity, voice, and the child's ability to reinforce the message of the joys and benefits of pet ownership. The panel of judges consisted of third-eights grade teachers, school administrators, and APPA.

One student from each grade level (6 total) nationwide was selected to win a $250 gift certificate for pet products, and a "by-line" in a nationally circulated publication. In addition, the six winning students' classrooms each receive a $1,000 scholarship to spend on pet related education.

Juliet's winning poem, titled, "The Joy of Pets"

Smiling out the window,

A dog waits at the door,

You give him lots of kisses,

You give him hugs galore.

A cat is on the windowsill,

You stroke her fancy fur,

She rubs against you affectionately,

And let's out a loving purrr.

A rabbit munches on a carrot,

As he wiggles his twitchy nose,

He's the one that you prefer,

He's the one you chose.

Pets make me feel all warm inside,

They make me jump with glee,

When I am sad or sick or blue,

I know that pets are the key.