Scott Stevens was learning about vikings at school last year when inspiration struck.
Miranda Bowman, who was teaching Scott’s Grade 3 class at École McIsaac School, brought up the Icelandic Festival of Manitoba poetry
contest.
Coincidently, the students were also learning about poetry in the classroom. Scott entered a poem and continued on with the remainder of the school year.
The poetry contest was based out of Gimli and open to all Manitoba students. Scott’s “not too long, but not too short” poem was chosen to be the best.
He not only received a letter of congratulations, but $125 in prize money.
Now in Grade 4, Scott, 9, received his letter and cash award just this week.
Looking back on his viking lessons with Mrs. Bowman, Scott says he was just looking to try something new.
“Our teacher brought up the contest and I thought I would give it a try,” he excitedly said.
This was the first time Scott had tried his luck at a writing contest.
“I’d entered colouring contests before, but this was the first poetry contest,” he said proudly.
Through his history lessons, Scott learned “that the vikings were bad guys,” and that’s where his creativity came from.
Scott was surprised and excited when he found out he won first place in the contest.
“I didn’t expect that at all,” he said, more excited with each response to questions. “I know people from all around Manitoba were entering, so I just thought I would give
it a try.”
Possibly just as exciting as winning the contest is winning the prize money. So what will he spend his big
earnings on?
“But, that’s the thing,” Scott said, “I don’t even know yet.”
Scott’s mother Katie was thrilled for her son, after hearing the big news.
“I’m so happy that Miranda encouraged the [children] to enter something like this. I’m very proud of him,” she said.
