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River of Words Spotlight

River of Words Spotlights highlight students whose art and poetry has been selected for publication in the River of Words Anthology, as well as teachers who have recieved or been nominated for the River of Words / Kalmanovitz School of Education Teacher of the Year Award.

Artwork in header: Vinci Chan from Hong Kong, China stands on a hill with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. Vinci is holding his artwork, "The Blue World," which was selected as the International Art Winner of the 2016-17 contest. His work was published in the much anticipated 2016-2018 River of Words anthology of children's art and poetry in May 2018.

Student Spotlight: Charlie Valk

In this 2020 interview with River of Words, Charlie says making art can be both stressful and relaxing, and how she likes creating art that relates to nature because of all the different colors, and textures. From Decatur, Georgia, Charlie considers herself a Watershed Explorer after going to the beach and the Chattahoochee River with her class.

Student Spotlight: Mohammad Shafiq

In this 2020 interview with River of Words, Mohammad Shafiq speaks about his creative process, and the inspiration and imagery behind his winning art piece, “Let's Serve Them Than Being Disaster.”

Student Spotlight: Aaron Huang

Aaron Huang's poem "Yosemite Falls" was the 2020 River of Words Shasta Bioregion Prize Winner. In this 2020 interview with River of Words, Aaron talks about singular moments becoming the biggest inspirations in his writing process and how a field trip left him wanting to express feelings, which led to his poem "Yosemite Falls."

Student Spotlight: Ada Heller

Ada Heller's poem "Connections" was the 2020 River of Words Category IV Winner. In this 2020 interview with River of Words, Ada talks about losing track of time when writing and how her love for science helped inspire her poem "Connections." The theme of connecting comes across again as she describes a watershed, a place where humans are connected and create a community.

Student Spotlight: Jaden Sivananthan

Jaden Sivananthan's poem "Erosion" was the 2020 River of Words Category II Winner. In this 2020 interview with River of Words, Jaden talks about what inspired his poem "Erosion" and how comparison writing is an exploration of things that you either see or have to find. He speaks on the importance of being true to yourself as a writer, and the commitment it takes to be a Watershed Explorer.

Student Spotlight: Zoe Chuang

Zoe Chuang's poem "Creek Water Girl" was the 2019 River of Words Category IV Winner. In this 2019 interview with River of Words, Zoe says that if she could be outside and do more outdoors, she would. She loves being in nature. She remembers talking a walk to her local Buck Creek with a friend where they talked about what kind of people they were, and what kind of people they might become.

Student Spotlight: Jianeliz Rivera

Jianeliz Rivera's poem "Crows Feel Too" was the 2019 River of Words Poetry Winner. During her interview, she stressed the importance of putting your emotions into your writing, and she gave aspiring writers some advice on authenticity.

Sacred Elements; Alfredo Quintana; River of Words 2019 Poetry Finalist

Student Spotlight: Alfredo Quintana

Alfredo Quintana's poem, "Sacred Elements," was a finalist of the 2018-19 River of Words contest. In this interview, Alfredo talks about his experiences growing up in two worlds: the Navajo Reservation his family is from, and an American Neighborhood in Spanish Fork, Utah.

Christine Troll; Water; Art Winner; Category IV Winner

Student Spotlight: Christine Troll

Christine Troll is a young artist from Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Her piece "At the Well," was the 2019 River of Words Category IV Art Winner. I asked Christine about her process for representing water, which lead us to a discussion about her local watersheds and about all the little ways in which all of us can help the environment.

Anling Chen, Trains, One Square Block Prize 2019, River of Words

Student Spotlight: Anling Chen

Anling Chen is a young poet from Staten Island, New York. Her poem "Trains," won the 2019 River of Words One Square Block Prize. We talked about the environment in Staten Island train, and her local watershed, the Hudson River.

Student Spotlight: Sarah Inouye

Sarah Inouye is a young poet from Orinda, California. Her poem Atlas was selected for publication in the 2016-2018 River of Words Anthology. We discussed her passion for the environment, her involvement with River of Words and the inevitable connections between the body and the earth.

Student Spotlight: Nicole Li

Nicole Li is a fourteen-year-old student from Johns Creek, Georgia. Nicole's art piece titled "Tree of Life" was selected for publication in the 2016-17 River of Words Anthology. In January of 2018, Nicole participated in a student spotlight interview, in which she told us about the story of "Tree of Life," the view from her favorite tree, and much more.

A section of Laura Hu's artwork "The Colorful Sea" heads the top of the page. The section visible in the header displays a gray and white dolphin swimming through a blue sea, surrounded by small clusters of seaweed and sea grass. The scene is rendered in either pastel or colored pencil

Student Spotlight: Laura Hu

Laura Hu is a ten-year-old student from Northbrook, Illinois. Laura's art piece titled "The Colorful Sea" was selected for publication in the 2016-17 River of Words Anthology. In January of 2018, Laura participated in a student spotlight interview, in which she shared the story of "The Colorful Sea," tips on how to be a watershed explorer, and much more.

Student Spotlight: Ava Wang

Ava Wang is a seventeen-year-old student from Atlanta, Georgia. Ava's art piece titled "Oily River Rescue" was selected for publication in the 2016-17 River of Words Anthology. In January of 2018, Ava participated in a student spotlight interview, in which she told us about her artistic process, the story of "Oily River Rescue," and much more.

Student Spotlight: Rebecca Oet

Rebecca Oet is a sixteen-year-old student from Solon, Ohio. Rebecca's poem, "Indian River Lake" was selected for publication in the 2016-17 River of Words Anthology. In January of 2018, Rebecca participated in a student spotlight interview, in which she told us about her artistic process, the story of "Indian River Lake," and much more.

Student Spotlight: Vinci Chan

Meet Vinci Chan from Hong Kong, China. Vinci's art, "The Blue World" was selected as the International Art Winner of the 2016-17 contest and has been published in the much anticipated 2016-2018 River of Words anthology of children's art and poetry

Teacher Spotlight: Joanna Fox

River of Words / Kalmanovitz School of Education Teachers of the Year continue to do amazing work with students in their communities long after we recognize their service. The insight they offer also helps other educators bring environmental education and poetry into the classroom. In February 2018, ROW caught up with 2014 recipient, Joanna Fox, who brings the poetry of place and environmental awareness into her classroom every day.

Stories

Explore Your Local Watershed with River of Words

The 2022 River of Words contest is now open for submissions....
2021 River of Words Youth Art & Poetry Watershed Festival Recap

On April 17, 2021, the Center for Environmental Literacy within the Kalmanovitz School of Education hosted its 25th annual River of Words ...
Student Spotlight: Charlie Valk

In this 2020 interview with River of Words, Charlie says making art can be both stressful and relaxing, and how she likes creating art tha...
Student Spotlight: Mohammad Shafiq

In this 2020 interview with River of Words, Mohammad Shafiq speaks about his creative process, and the inspiration and imagery behind his ...

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