CONTACT:
Andrea Kotuk/Andrea & Associates/ (212) 353-9585
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
QUEENS YOUNGSTERS SHOWCASE WINNING POEMS AND ARTWORK IN
POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE 2021 POETRY ANTHOLOGY
The Police Athletic League (PAL) held its annual Poetry Writing Contest with participants from the citywide PAL After-School Program. Young poets and artists showcased their winning poems and art digitally in the PAL 2021 Poetry Anthology. In this time of social distancing and virtual learning, PAL recognizes the important role art plays in bringing youngsters together.
“We feel fortunate that our young participants were able to create anything of beauty this year. Their resilience and energy inspired our staff, reminding us of the key role our programs play in creating safe spaces for learning and the arts,” said Dana Wheeler, PAL’s Director of Education and Program Development.
Each year, young people from PAL After-School programs representing different cultural backgrounds, age groups, and New York City neighborhoods, share and express themselves through poetry. They skillfully use language to produce writing that resonates with them. Placing an emphasis on creativity and the imagination, the annual Anthology acknowledges the talent of children from PAL centers citywide.
The original poetry in the anthology featured Queens children from PAL including Nylah, 4th Grade from PAL Goldie Maple Academy Beacon and Christelle, 6th Grade and Acacia, 6th Grade both from PAL Pathways Prep. Anthology artwork by Queens students included two works of art by Nylah, 4th Grade, PAL Goldie Maple Academy, and one piece by Iliana, 3rd Grade, PAL Goldie Maple Academy.
Nylah, 4th Grade, PAL Goldie Maple Academy in Queens:
“Food, food
Yum, yum
Hot, hot
“The food smells great”
Like granny’s old pie.
Just a slice
Give it a try
Fills me up
Joy inside
Ready to eat
Hot and steamy
Taste just a little
Blow blow
Ouch!
That’s hot!
My tongue
Hurts.
Food, Food
Hot and
Steamy”
Christelle, 6th Grade, PAL Pathways Prep in Queens:
“Ice Cream is sweet like a fountain of cotton candy.
Ice Cream can stand as tall as the sky.
Ice cream is cold as ice.
Ice cream can get so cold it can give me a brain freeze.”
Acacia, 6th Grade, PAL Pathways Prep in Queens:
“Animals are the only thing that I actually like.
Unfortunately they are going extinct.
Animals are all shapes, sizes, and colors.
Animals are mostly mammals.
My favorite animal is a red panda spelled like Amanda with a “p”.
My, my, my, there’s a few types of animals.
Birds, Reptiles, and mammals.”
The 2021 PAL Poetry Anthology is made possible by the generous support of The William Talbott Hillman Foundation, The Milton & Sally Avery Arts Foundation and DYCD, as well as other generous individuals. New York City’s Police Athletic League is the first and finest civilian-run PAL in the country. Founded in 1914, PAL has served the city’s young people for over 100 years. PAL provides recreational, educational, cultural and social activities to 20,000 boys and girls annually. It is also the city’s largest, independent, nonprofit youth organization. For more information, please visit www.palnyc.org.
Photo credit for Art Work: Courtesy of Police Athletic League