The write stuff

Published 1:04 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008

Camille Rankin, who once found herself visiting a reading specialist, is now a published writer.

Rankin, an eighth-grader at Snoqualmie Middle School, recently had her poem “After Mourning” included in the International Society of Poets (ISP) anthology, “Chasing Revelation.”

A few months ago Camille submitted “After Mourning” to an ISP contest and soon learned that she had been selected as a semifinalist. Then she received notice that she was a grand finalist competing for a prize of up to $20,000. But there was a catch.

Camille’s mother, Sally Rankin, discovered that to be considered in the final round of the competition, Camille would have to be present at the ISP Fall Convention to be held in Los Angeles, Calif.

Although Sally and Camille decided not to make the trip, they both revel in Camille’s success considering her young age.

Camille wrote “After Mourning” before ever experiencing the emotions of bereavement. Yet, when Sally shared the poem with relatives after the recent death of Camille’s great-grandfather, the poem greatly consoled them.

Oddly enough, in elementary school Camille was a below-average reader. She was frequently sent to see the reading specialist. But she would lose interest and stop reading to look around the room.

For the complete story, pick up a copy of this week’s Valley Record