River of Words Press Release - April 2008, Glen Ellyn, IL —

11-year-old Hadley Student Finalist in International Poetry Contest.
20,000 Entries Received

In time for National Poetry Month, Bailey Bystry, a local resident and sixth-grade student at Hadley Junior High School in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, found herself a finalist in the River of Words Environmental Poetry & Art Contest — the largest youth poetry competition in the world. Bailey's poem, "If I Could Be Water", was chosen from approximately 20,000 entries from eleven countries and is to be published in the River of Words Anthology this summer. She is only one of three Illinois residents to have won, from amongst the one hundred winners who will all be honored at the River of Words' 13th annual awards ceremony, to be held at The Library of Congress Center for the Book, in Washington, DC, on May 12, 2008.

"I'm extremely excited and honored to be one of the finalists in this competition," said Bailey, who wrote and submitted the poem as an assignment for the Writers Studio, a writing workshop she has attended for the past two years. Her writing can be read online at writersstudiokids.blogspot.com.

"The Writers Studio takes both children who love writing, and those who don't know why they should write well, and has them use creative writing as a springboard to what could be AP English, English Honors and, as in Bailey's case, even publication. Bailey is a strong writer and poet and we're very proud of her," says Ms. Naazish YarKhan, director of Writers Studio, who teaches the workshops in Glen Ellyn and Wheaton.

Bailey was in her third year of being home schooled when she entered the competition in February 2008. She is one of three Illinois residents to be chosen as a finalist in the contest. She started attending Hadley Junior High School this month.

"Bailey's dad and I are so thrilled with this accomplishment; it's yet another reason to be proud of her," said her mother, Jenifer Bystry. "We hope her win will inspire Bailey to always explore her talents and to continue to seek opportunities to share her efforts through avenues like contests and publication."

Bailey is looking forward to attending the May 12th ceremony to receive her award in person. "I can't wait to meet some of the other winners and thank the people at River of Words," she said.

The ceremony will be emceed by former US Poet Laureate, Robert Hass (recent winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award for Poetry), who co-founded River of Words (ROW) in 1995 with writer Pamela Michael, the non-profit organization's executive director. The contest is conducted by Berkeley nonprofit River of Words and affiliated with The Library of Congress Center for the Book.

"If I Could Be Water" will be published in the River of Words 2008 anthology, River of Words: The Natural World as Viewed by Young People. ROW will donate a book to both the Glen Ellyn Public Library and Hadley Junior High's library in honor of Bailey's win.

If I Could Be Water
by Bailey Bystry

If I could be water
I wouldn't be a pond
Muddy and brown,
I wouldn't be an ocean
Big and alone,
I wouldn't be rain
Falling again and again,
I wouldn't be ice
Cold and frozen,
I would be a river
Long, wide and free.

River of Words® (ROW) is a nature-based science, art and poetry program created to promote watershed awareness, literacy and the arts. ROW helps young people explore the natural and cultural history of their own communities through their innovative Watershed Explorer curriculum. ROW also provides educational support services for schools, water districts, libraries, museums, community organizations and governmental agencies that want to promote environmental consciousness via the creative process.

The Writers Studio offers creative writing workshops for adults and children and focuses on creating literary stars. Students participate in story and poetry competitions, submit essays for radio and possible publication, while gaining a sense of civic responsibility by writing letters to the editor, participating in letter writing campaigns for Amnesty International and more.

Naazish YarKhan, the director, has done commentaries for NPR & Chicago Public Radio and is an editorial consultant. She also freelances as a writer for publications including Chicago Tribune and Chicago Parent. Her students' work can be read at writersstudioworkshops.blogspot.com.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ted E.,

Wow! I love the poem. Way to go Bailey. I noticed she was home schooled. Hats off to her parents as well.

Bailey is a great spirit to be around. She was a wonderful chess player for Lincoln. She has a smile that warms the room, and her parents are great people.