Congratulations to Waterville Primary School third grader Kylie Stout, who recently claimed third place in the Ode to the Zip Code poetry contest. She was selected as a winner in the youth division from among 160 young poets—and more than 600 total entries—from across the Toledo area.
At a finalists’ reception on April 19 at The Portal at Toledo School for the Arts, Kylie took the stage to read her poems aloud before a panel of judges. “I wasn’t really that nervous because I dance in front of an audience and I talk on the microphone all the time,” she said.
This marks the second time Kylie has earned third place in the contest, which challenges writers to craft poems using their neighborhood as inspiration. The catch? The number of words in each line must match the digits in the ZIP. “It’s more challenging than you think,” she explained. “You sometimes get stuck on the number of words and it still has to make sense.” Luckily, her mom was there to help brainstorm when needed.
One of her winning poems was a heartfelt tribute to Waterville Primary School, featuring favorite moments like movie nights and the Winter’s Ball. “I like coming to school and all the fun activities we do here,” she said. “I also like to read, primarily chapter books like the “Dragon Girls” and “Wings of Fire” series.”
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I love my school!
The best teachers
Awesome students and great friends
Movie nights, book fairs, Winter’s Ball
Waterville Primary, best school of all
The other was inspired by her true passion—dance. Kylie spends four nights a week at Spotlight Studios and recently joined their competition team. While also performing tap, ballet, lyrical and jazz, she said that her favorite style is acro. “I like doing tricks,” Kylie said. “I’m more into tumbling and acrobatics.”
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In my living room
The magic happens
Ballet, lyrical, tap and jazz
I love dancing day and night
Love to be in the spotlight
Kylie plans to save her $200 prize to help pay for dance lessons next year. And while she does enjoy writing, her future plans are set on center stage—she hopes to become a professional ballerina.
Her advice for students who might feel stage fright? “You will feel nervous, but if you take a couple deep breaths and say to yourself, ‘I got this!’ you should be good.”
Way to go, Kylie! We’re so proud of your creativity, confidence and accomplishments!
About the Contest
Now in its 9th year, the Ode to the Zip Code contest is presented by the Toledo City Paper, the Toledo Lucas County Public Library, The Fair Housing Center and The Arts Commission. Toledo-area youth and adults are invited to submit short poems inspired by their ZIP code.