By Jessica McLaughlin
Western Wayne student Kayla Peirce, won second place in the 9-12 grade category of the national 2020 National Chemistry Week (NCW) Illustrated Poem Contest pertaining to the theme, “Sticking with Chemistry.”
This is the first time in our section’s history that a student’s poem made it to the National level. Kayla is also the 2020 ACS Susquehanna Valley Section National Chemistry Week Poetry Contest 9th-12th Grade Winner. Kayla’s poem was judged as being the best out of all 9th-12th grade entries received by our Section.
Kayla will be honored at the annual May banquet with her parents and teacher Mrs. Maria Masankay. In light of the COVID pandemic, the ACS Susquehanna Valley Section has not yet decided on a format for the banquet. If they are unable to hold the banquet in person this year, Kayla will receive a $50 check and a certificate via mail in May.
In addition, Kayla’s winning poem entry is featured on the campaign’s website at www.acs.org/ncw, which receives over 25,000 unique visitors annually. Her poem will also appear in an upcoming issue of the Chemical and Engineering News (C&EN) magazine on December 21, which will be available to view at cen.acs.org. Kayla will receive a cash prize, a certificate, and a letter of congratulations in the coming weeks.
Her winning poem is titled “A Gecko’s Grip.” Kayla has always loved art almost as much as she enjoys creative writing. This love of drawing influenced her to make a gecko the subject of her poem for the contest.
“I thought I could draw a gecko well,” Kayla explained. “I did some research and then from there the poem just came to me. I really enjoy writing. I keep a journal where I practice my writing.”
Kayla’s favorite subject is English.
“I really like the writing part,” Kayla, who wishes to study psychology in college, said. “I like how you can do so much with words. I also like looking back on my writing and thinking about how much fun I had making it.”
