For the seventh year in a row, Belmont partnered with Metro Nashville Public Schools to sponsor a poetry contest for Middle School students. Thanks to the generous donation of a recent Belmont graduate who continues his passion for working with youth that was nurtured at Belmont, Metro Nashville Public School students in sixth through eighth grade were once again invited to submit original poems. This year's prompt was "What does peace mean to you and how might it be achieved?"
Five finalists were selected by the Belmont English Club, and the poets worked with local professional songwriters, Sherrie Austin, Zoe Cummins, Will Rambeaux and Olivia Rudeen to set their poems to music. The winners will share the following prize money ($500 - 1st, $300 - 2nd, $200 - 3rd, $100 each for 4th and 5th) which will be split between the poet and their classroom teacher to benefit their class.
This year's songs are listed in alphabetical order below. Enjoy!
- A WEARY WORLD {lyrics} {original poem}
- GRACE {lyrics} {original poem}
- OH WONDROUS EARTH {lyrics} {original poem}
- RARE {lyrics} {original poem}
- WE ARE ONE {lyrics} {original poem}