Youth in Focus

By Richard A. Ross

Young poets are published 'Dream Makers'

	TRR photo by Richard A. Ross Sullivan West at Jeffersonville students Vinny Simkin and Jenny Russell pose with a copy “Dream Makers: Young People Share Their Hopes and Aspirations,” a book illustrated by Neil Waldman that features the kids’ poems along with 40 other nine to 14-year-old children’s compositions. Submissions were chosen from hundreds nationwide.(Click for larger image)

JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — What started out as a class writing assignment turned into something very special for Vinny Simkin and Jenny Russell of Sullivan West at Jeffersonville.

Both students wrote poems that were submitted by teacher, Dennis Rowan, for consideration in a new book illustrated by Neil Waldman, an award-winning writer and illustrator. To their delight, both entries were selected for Waldman’s book, “Dream Makers: Young People Share Their Hopes and Aspirations,” published by Boyd Mills Press in 2003.

The book commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Children’s Aid Society. Along with other youth contributors, Vinny and Jenny were invited to participate in a book signing ceremony in Manhattan this past September.

According to principal Dr. Linda Widomski, the tradition of writing is well established at the Jeffersonville elementary school. “We host an author’s day each year where published writers address students and then work with kids in classes,” she said.

During the 2002-03 school year, when Vinny and Jenny were in fourth grade, Waldman visited the school to introduce the idea of his book. Both poems will be republished in the October 23 issue of The Amphibian, the Journal for Kids by Kids.

Jenny’s uncle Luke Gonzalez died at the age of 18 of cancer. “I really miss him,” she said. She credits her teacher, Mrs. Farrell, for helping her come up with ideas for her poem.

“I liked to write all kinds of poems. When Mr. Rowan told me in April that my poem was chosen, I felt really good,” she said.

Jenny likes to color, study science, play soccer and board games.

“My friend Matthew Davies got me thinking by asking me what I wanted to be when I grew up,” Vinny said. Fame has altered his view of writing.

“I might like to be a writer like my uncle Mark Singer who works for The New York Times,” he said.

“The book signing was neat. They had two shows and there were so many people; some had to stand on the stairs.”

Vinny likes to play basketball, soccer and accompany his father Don to the Olympics. Dr. Simkin, a dentist in Livingston Manor, has made mouth guards for many American Olympians. Vinny has accompanied him to Nagano, Japan, Los Angeles and Norway. This summer they will be heading to Athens, Greece.

This week’s youths in focus became famous for writing about their dreams. Given their energy, intelligence and focus, both are likely to convert some dreams to reality.

Vinny writes:

I am now in the air force
I fly a fighter jet
I still have a dream
That I've had since I was four.
I wish that there would be world peace
That's why I am a jet pilot.
It doesn't make any sense to me
but my heart is telling me
that I'm doing the right thing
My heart is leading me
to my dream
Next day I walk by an old bully
I say, "Hi"
“Hi,” he responds, “How are you?”
I can't believe it!
It is like my first dream came true
Next day I go to the bank
I say, "Can I see how much money I have in my
account:"
The teller says, "You have a million dollars."
I say, "Thanks."
I go home
My mom says she can get a better job
Same with my dad.
I bet it's going to be a great life.