Senior Wins Poetry Contest

Gabby’s original poem was chosen as the winner in the contest run by the JFK Library Foundation and the nonprofit Mass Poetry.

Gabby read her poem aloud at a reception at the JFK Library, held to celebrate the high school and middle school winners. Robert Pinsky, former U.S. Poet Laureate, and Bill Littlefield, host of NPR program “Only a Game,” were on hand to congratulate Gabby and award her the cash prize for first place.

The many entries to the contest were judged by MFA candidates from Boston University, Emerson College, Lesley University, Pine Manor College, UMass Amherst and UMass Boston. The finalists were submitted to the poet Mr. Pinsky, who selected the winners and runners-up.

“We are thrilled to honor the legacy of John F. Kennedy and his passion for the arts,” Mass Poetry said in a statement.

In addition to her contest-winning poem, Gabby is a published author whose book of poems, All The Things I Never Told You, is available on Amazon.com. Read more about Gabby’s book in student newspaper The Looking Glass.