Eyrie – Eagle’s Nest – Writing Contest
Original Poetry and Short Fiction
Class of 2016 • St. John’s Preparatory School
The Eagle
He clasps the crag with crooked hands;
Close to the sun in lonely lands,
Ringed with the azure world, he stands.
The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls;
He watches from his mountain walls,
And like a thunderbolt he falls.
By Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1842)
We invite you, the applicants to the Class of 2016, to submit an
original short story or an original poem to the Eyrie Writing Contest.
Your poem or short story must include an eagle, the mascot of St.
John’s Prep.
Use your imagination. Showcase your talent. You do not need to
include any other reference to the Prep – other than the eagle – in
any part of your short story or poem.
Contest Dates: November 21, 2011 through January 15, 2012
Judging: Seniors in the SJP Writing Portfolio elective will act as
contest judges. The winners will be announced on March 1, 2012 on
the school website at www.stjohnsprep.org
Information and Advice: Student judges will respond to questions,
provide detailed contest rules, and offer guidance about your writing
contest project by facebook and email.
• Email [email protected] for contest entry form and
podcast links with writing tips by Prep seniors.
• Quick questions? Post to
www.facebook.com/stjohnspreparatoryschool
Prizes: Gift certificates to the SJP Eagles Bookstore will be awarded.
• Poetry First Prize -- $200 gift certificate
• Poetry Second Prize -- $100 gift certificate
• Short Fiction First Prize -- $200 gift certificate
• Short Fiction Second Prize -- $100 gift certificate
Have fun as you create original fiction or poetry that includes an
eagle. We look forward to reading your work.
It Might Have Been
We will be what we could be. Do not say,
“It might have been, had nor or that, or this.”
No fate can keep us from the chosen way;
He only might, who is.
We will do what we could do. Do not dream
Chance leaves a hero, all uncrowned to grieve.
I hold, all men are greatly what they seem;
He does, who could achieve.
We will climb where we could climb. Tell me not
Of adverse storms that kept thee from the height.
What eagle ever missed the peak he sought?
He always climbs who might.
I do not like the phrase “It might have been!”
It lacks all force, and life’s best truths perverts
For I believe we have, and reach, and win,
Whatever our deserts.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1910)