Lakeville Teen Wins Dakota County Poetry Contest

Lakeville residents have a knack for making nothing happen.

The city's residents received two golds, a silver and a bronze in the Dakota County Library's poetry contest.

Jessica X. won first-place in the age 15 to 18 category of contest for her poem, "I Heard an Owl." George Slanger won first in the adult contest for his poem, "Turtle Mountains."

Dakota County residents in five age groups submitted poems in April for National Poetry Month. Winners were announced last week:

Children - Ages 6-8

• 1st Place: Spring Time by Sidney N., Rosemount
• 2nd Place: Great Steak by Aleah S., Farmington
• 3rd Place: It's Spring by Kristine J., Apple Valley
• Honorable Mention: Soccer by Gaby A., Apple Valley

Children - Ages 9-11

• 1st Place: If You're Not From Minnesota by Sanjana M., Apple Valley
• 2nd Place: Monster in my Closet by Ella B., West St. Paul
• 3rd Place: The Strange Animal Race by Matthew C., Lakeville
• Honorable Mention: Baking by Jenna W., Farmington

Teens - Ages 12-14 years old

• 1st place: A Story of Some Warm Noodles and a Book by Amelia C., Eagan 
• 2nd place: I Am From... by Brantly C., Lakeville
• 3rd place: Winter's Enbrace by Nansea J.. Farmington
• Honorable Mention: Childhood by David H., Prior Lake

Teens - Ages 15-18 years old

• 1st place:  I Heard an Owl by Jessica X., Lakeville 
• 2nd place: The Piano of Life by Abigail D., Hastings
• 3rd place: Carry On by Alana B., Eagan
• Honorable Mention: I Wish by Katie T., Farmington

Adults

• 1st place: Turtle Mountains by George Slanger, Lakeville
• 2nd place: Junkie by Howie Kestel, Burnsville 
• 3rd place: Glossolalia by Shawn MacGregor, Hastings
• Honorable Mention: Before the Bruises by Erica Rivera, Eagan