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P'O@am81WtheGeorg~ Cen.tet fortheBook.wftti 
 
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River of Words benefits 
Kindergarten-12th grade students in Georgia schools and youth organizations by encouraging art and poetry as powerful communication tools in their commitment to environmental awareness. Students 
throughout the State discover their watershed by honing their observation skills and describing 
through art and poetry their own "place in space." 
 
Sponoo<odby: tho Sta4'buekliCoffee~ " ' I endThoStarbockarounict.tiof'\. 
 
River of Words is an international art and poetry project co-founded in 1995 by former U.S. Poet Laureate, Robert Hass and writer Pamela Michael, to nurture respect and understanding of the natural world. Since 1997, Georgia teachers have successfully incorporated this dynamic educational endeavor into their classrooms. Georgia has sent at least one National Grand Prize Winner to the awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., each year. 
 
When students' original art and poetry are returned from the National competition, they are entered in the State competition. National and State winners are recognized by Georgia Project WET, the Georgia Center for the Book, and the Starbucks Coffee Company at an llwards Ceremony. llrt and poetry are on display inthe Georgia River of Words Exhibit for one year. The Exhibit travels to libraries, schools, nature centers, conferences, water festivals, parks and state buildings. River of Words Teacher's Guides and llrt 
and Poetry Journalsare provided free of charge to educators. 
 
What is Georgia Project WET? 
Georgia Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) trains facilitators and educators with water education workshops. Workshop participants receive the Project WET Curriculum and llctlvity Guide, which features more than 90 activities developed, field-tested, 
and reviewed by over 600 educators and resource managers working with 34,000 students nationwide. The activities provide young 
people with the knowledge and experience they will need to make informed decisions regarding water resource management. 
 
What is the Georgia Center for the Book? 
The GeorgiaCenter for the Book is a statewide program, which celebrates books, reading, literacy, book arts, publishing and Georgia's literary tradition. Forty-six states are affiliated with the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress, a program created by an act of Congress in 1977. The DeKalb County Public Library is the host site for the Center for the Bookin Georgia. 
 
What is the Ehvironmental Education JUliance of Georgia? 
The Environmental Education lllliance (EEll) of Georgia is a nonprofit organization that promotes communication and education among professionals in the field of environmental education in Georgia. EEJI: is comprised of 400 members who take full advantage of the quarterly newsletters, web site, fall symposium, spring conference, special workshops. and Directory of Environmental Education Providers that the organization provides. EEA has spearheaded a number of partnership initiatives including 1) EEinGEORGIA.org, The Clearinghouse for Environmental Education in Georgia, 2) ElC, the national school improvement process that uses the Environment as an Integrating Context for Learning, 3) the Georgia Project for Excellence in Environmental Education, a certification program for environmental educators, and 4) Monarchs Across Georgia, a collaboration of teachers. students, families, communities, businesses and others, working together to study Monarchbutterflies and restore butterfly habitat across the State. 
How has the Starbucks Coffee Company and the Starbucks Foundation Supported ROW In Georgia? Employees of the Starbucks Coffee Company have helped coordinate River of Words activities. They share their time and refreshments at the State Awards Ceremony, and display the ROW exhibit and printed materials in their stores. Funding from the Starbucks Foundation, allows the Dunwoody Nature Center in Jl:tlanta, and the Oatland lshmd Education Center in Savannah to provide at-risk, economically under served students frorn Boys and Girls Clubs and Boys Homes with watershed discovery and poetry writing field studies. Two of these students are recognized with the Starbucks Power of Literacy Prize at the Georgia River of Words Awards Ceremony each year. 
 
 2 
Wa1Ntehrastihs8ed? 
 
 Arena,Malsy 
 
----- -- - --- 21 
 
Baker, Victoria Faith 
 
- - - - - - - - - - - 15 
 
Beaulieu, Viator 
 
- - - - - - - - - - - 20 
 
Benefleld,Maggie 
 
---- - - ----- 15 
 
Berohln,Gina B!rd,Gatherlne 
 
--- - ---- - -- 16 -- --- - - --- - 7 
 
Blumenthal, Raohel Branhrun, Linley 
 
----------- 6 - - - - - - - - - - - 11! 
 
Bruning.Abby 
 
---- ------ - 14 
 
Chotlwat,JohannaRebekah - - - - - - - - - - - 5 
 
Crandall,Jeemoa 
 
- - - ---- - - -- 9 
 
Ebrahim-Zadeh, Neema 
 
- - - - - - - - - - - 10 
 
FerzelY,Graoe 
 
----------- 10 
 
Greenberg.GU 
 
----------- 8 
 
HandY,Cralg 
 
----------- 18 
 
Hoenstine. Justin 
 
- - - - - - - - - - - 16 
 
Jones, Brittany Ann 
 
- -- - - - -- - - - 20 
 
Kurlan,Jay Laf'fler,Soott, 
 
- - - - - - - - - - - 13 
- ---------- 1J 
 
L a m b, E l l z a b e t h 
 
- - - -- - ----- 9 
 
Lambr!gnt, Alison Leary,James 
 
- -- - - -- - - - - 12 - - - - - - - - - - - 21 
 
Leonard, Brenden C. 
 
- - - - - - - - - - - 17 
 
Lux, 8amantha Marchionni, William 
 
-- - --- -- --- 13 ----------- 7 
 
MoCollum, Bryan 
 
- - - - - - - - -  - 18 
 
MoCroskey, Lauren 
 
 - - - - - - - - -  14 
 
Miller,Kara. 
 
------- - --- 13 
 
Moore,Jesee Morrell,Jeese 
 
----------- 6 ---------- - 21 
 
Myers.Laura 
 
------- - --- 10 
 
Oeten,Natalle 
 
- - - - - - -- - - - 11 
 
Parker,Bryan 
 
----------- 17 
 
Pelerose,Adam 
 
----------- 11 
 
Porter, LakiaAlyssa 
 
- - - - - - - - - - - 19 
 
Reagan.David Robles,Todd Schwartz, Grace 
 
----------- 7 ----------- 20 - ---------- 8 
 
Sewall, Alexander J. 
 
- - - - - - - - - - 12 
 
Sewall, Chl'lattan P. Slmpaon,Alan 
 
- - - - - - - - - - - 12 ---------- 19 
 
Stein, Katherine 
 
- - - - - - - - - - - 16 
 
VanLiew,Krlsten 
 
----------- 4 
 
W!:ll'blngton, K r i s t i n 
 
----------- 6 
 
Wa.tta,Andrew Young. Elizabeth 
 
- - -- - - - --- - 16 - - - - - -  - - - - 18 
 
 The turtle's shell awaits the fog ofthe morning. The beavers sleep quietly intheir dirty den. The stones a.re surrounded by filthy grass on the riverbank. The snake's prey is slowly dragged into the winter's snow. The frosty sleet drizzles in the rapids. The mist ofthe river is like a duck's autumn. In theglow ofthe morning a squirreljumps from pebble to pebble just like jumping from sunrise to sundown. In the wave's darkness, I rest next to the windy stream. The moonlight glows on the oyster's oave. The soil covers the moiSt leaf The pine trees sing a never-ending song to the end ofthe poems shadows. 
Scott Laffler 6thGn,,de Bamwell Elementary Sohool Teacher: Danelle Chereok Alpharetta 
National Finalist 
l 
12th Grade Dru.ld Hilla High Sohool 
Atlanta. Thaoher:Ell2abeth Eppes 
National Grand Prize Winner 
 
 This Is How Nature Works 
 
Johanna Rebekah Chotiwat 12th Grade Che:mbleeChart.er High School Chrunblee Teacher: Lynn Farmer National finalist 
 
Kristin Warbington 12th Grade 
EvansHigh Sohool Evens 
Teacher: PamelaSegers National Finalist 
 
  -~ 
'19,atThthefalortifwvTleothrwosatttthofhloeatwhtsfetltroOewcaaft.O,s,,,~the1~,,. ~&~ 
 
That flow to ; the,;. 
 
That flow t,nL,e-0ti-0~&~ 
 
William Marchionni 2nd Grade CasaMontessori Sclhool Marietta 
 
~~9' 
l 
 
State Winner 
 
Cstherine Bird 
12th Grade Holy Innooent'e Ep!BOopal Sclhool Atlanta Teaoher:Renee Graoon 
National Finalist 
 
The Running Stream 
I was running by a stream a.nd saw a peaceful waterfall 
My mom was running by the stream a.nd saw a turtle a.nd a trog. 
My dad was running by the stream a.nd saw a deer being chased by a dog. 
Ilike running just like my mom, my dad, a.nd the stream. 
David Reagan 2nd Grade Lewie Elementary Sclhool 
Konneell.w 
Teaoher: Stephanie Maynard State Winner 
 
 8 
Grace Schwartz 
2nd Grade Lewis El8111entary Sohool Kennesaw Teacher: Dabble Ellington 
State Winner 
' II, . 
GU Greenberg 5th Grade 
Bh8kereg Ele11181ltary Sohool Duluth 
Toaoher Mrs. Maok 
National Final"l8t 
 
  10 
 
  
I sprinkled to N'en1oe, There I fell into the canals And under thegondolas rraking tourists from 2laoe to Rlaoe. I misted into the rainforests ofSouthAmenoa. 
 
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fl' 
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But onoe I fell into a la.k:e 
 
 
 11 
Nature's Masterpiece 
Have you ever seen a perfect painting? I have. ~ sunset painted on a blue canvas sky. Reflections of light on sea foam green water Rushing onto golden sand that stretches along ~n endless shore. Miles of sand sparkling in the fading sunlight, Littered with tiny brightly colored seashells. Tropical fish swimming among coral reefs of red, Orange, purple and turquoise. Crashing waves pounding against high rocky cliffs, Shooting water into the sky. That is Nature's Masterpiece. 
Jtdam Peleros e 4thGl'l!.de Casa Monwssor1 School Marietta Teacher: Theresa Dean State Winner 
 
Natalie Osten UthGrade 
Entered lndlVldually Marietta 
National Finalist 
 
  13 
 
The Earth Hear the swish of the wind Listen to what we call home Jt place of endless time Where still waters run deep Jtnd at times life moves slower Than at its usual pace It's always important To look past the common cliche See what the earth has to hold Look at it as ifit is a blossoming life Jt new fresh place, a world of dreams Overcome trying to see the world through a picture frame Open yourself up and give your body to the earth Mind, spirit and soul 
Become a part of what is naturally nurturing 
The ins and outs of the earth represent who we are The Earth Our palace of dreams Our home 
 
Kara Miller 8th Grade 
Shamrock Middle Sohool Dooatur Tuaaher- Chris Kern State Winner 
 
River 
 
 
 
Jay Kurian 
Kindergarten 
lmlnaoulBr.e ~ orMarySohool 
Atlante. Teuoher- Kathy Tucker 
State Winner 
 
Samantha I.we 
8thG"1de JC. Booth Middle Bohool 
Peaohti1'88 City Tuaaher-Jennltbr Rllt.er 
State Winner 
 
  15 "The Fll3hmg f,"'81:,' 
 
 16 
 
Sitting on a mossooveredbank beside the tranquil rtver shet hinks and watohes, she wonders how howthe ourrent carries the water, slowly flowing, somewhere iJ; starts and somewhere it ceases 
there the waterloses speed, 
a noisY. cacophonous roar becomes a tridkle, a rippling pool ofrest. 
 
What are we without water; 
 
from whenoe life springs? 1G ~ 
 
In a way we are the water. 
we are inter-connected; 
onewatershed belongs to a larger watershed, 
and that to another. 
pollution spreads toits neighbors, 
 
~ndrew Watts 12t.hGmde 
C h a m b l e eHigh Sohool Chamblee 
Teaoher Kimberly Landers State Winner 
 
impurities hard to remove. 
 
the river tries to ctlean itselfby rubbing itselfover t'Odks, 
 
but time ls wasted, what'Sleft IS too little. 
 
The maiden understandsthat which she ponders. nature is constant, natureofwater; human nature, different yet same. pollution ofdirty words,dirty thoughts, pierol.ng untruths lnfeot soc1etY, its minds, its hearts. 
 
- 
 
Only through pain is purity achieved only from loss rises blessings. 
 
War between nations, f'amllles, friends, and within one's heart wages on, often unceasing, uncompromising. 
 
We flnd ourwayback to the river; to our souroe oflife in hopes ofregainingwhat was lost from and to the river we go there is ourcalling, our hope. our peace. 
 
Katherine Stein 12th Grade Chwnblee High School Chamblee Teaaher: Lynn Flll'lll8I' State Winner 
 
 II 
 
':,~1 
 
Gina Berchin 
 
'lt,h Grade 
 
JJJ. Booth MiddleSchool Poo.ohtree Clcy 
 
Tulloher,JeMlfur Rit,t,er 
 
State Winner 
 
- 
 
.. ~ 
 
 17 
Standing on the bank Fishing inthe pond, Thinking back to a time When my Great-Grandfather dug the pond. 
I see abundant life all around, MIstand here Fishing, On this saored ground, Beoause of the olean water, land, and air The watershed has greatly fuired. 
Standingonthe bank Thinking ofmy Father's childhood When my Father was my age, Fishing in the pond. 
Seethe fish swim As the insects 'dance' across the water, Hear the birds sing. The pond is a living dream. 
Standing onthe bank, Seeing myrefleotion in the water. Thinking to a time When my own children Will be, Fishing in the pond. 
Bryan Parker lothGrade Americus lilgh School Amerlotlll Teacher:Anita Belcher State Winner 
 
' \ 
Brenden C. Leonard 7th Grade 
JCBooth Mlddle Sohool Peachtree Ott.,, 
Teacher:.Jennlft>r Bitter 
State Winner 
 
 Watershed 
Er.zabeth Vour,g 12th Grade Holy lnr\ooent.11' Epllloopal Sabool Atlanta Teaaher: Renee Oraoon State Winner 
 
18 
 a 
CraigHandy ?'thGr!lde 
JC Baot.n MldclleSahoal Peaoht.reeC!t.y 
Tullaher Jenn!fl3rRitt.er State Winner 
Bryan McColkim Ago 13, Ortu:IB8 Madel Mlcldlo 6ohOOI 
F!ollJ(l 
Tuaoh81" Angle i'anay State Wlnn<lr 
 
  I Jlm Water 
Brittany ~nnJones Brookhaven Soya and Girls Chili Dunwocxly- Ne.ture Center Atlanta. Starbucks Power of Literacy Prize Winner 
t Todd Robles 
12tlh Grade Evans Hlgh School 
Evwia Telioher: Pamela Segers 
State Winner 
 
20 
Victor Beaulieu 12th Grade 
Dnild Hills HJgh School Atlanta 
Toe.char:Rllze.beth Eppoo e.ndLee Rushton State Winner 
 
 21 
Jesse Morrell Frank Callen Boysand Girls Club OatlllndJslandEduoat.Ion Cenuer Savannah 
Starbucks Power of Literacy Prize Winoer 
 
Feet in The Water 
In the river my feet feel fish tickling, frogs goo, squishy mud, and slime. 
The river can clean my feet, too. My feet love the river! 
Maisy lXrena 2nd Grade 
ShaketilgElementary Sohool Duluth 
Teacher: Ms. Prot.erra State Winner 
 
James Leary 5~hGrllde Femllankl!!ementacy Sohool AtJl>ntll 
Teaoher:JW Brm-m State Winner