MARSHALL, Mich.—The Dorothy Goddard Capman Poetry Award was recently presented to four Marshall Middle School students.
Christopher Tilley, with the poem “Why,” and Angelina Warner with the poem “Adventure Awaits” both earned first place awards. Ben Bake took second place with the poem “Fire and Water,” and Caitlin Northern, took third place with “Fall.” Each student received a cash award for their winning entries.
The Dorothy Goddard Capman Poetry Award was established in 1996 by Donald Capman and Diana Capman Dolan in memory of their mother. Dorothy moved to Marshall in 1951. She was a frequent performer with the Marshal Civic Players, a devoted churchwoman and Sunday school teacher, and an active volunteer in her children’s schools. Dorothy also enjoyed writing poetry. Her purpose was simple: she enjoyed honoring people whom she loved with a poem for a special occasion such as a birthday, anniversary, retirement, graduation, or other significant life moments.
Dorothy had little formal education, but she valued education highly. Those who knew her considered her to be an educated woman, albeit by her own hand. She read constantly and never missed an opportunity to join in a class or attend lectures. She was a great advisor when her children had writing assignments, whether they were to write a letter, book report, research paper, story or poem. One of her most valuable pieces of advice to her children was, “always write about something of which you have personal knowledge. Whether you are writing about science, history, life or feelings, you will never go wrong if you write about what you know.”
In late night philosophical discussion, Dorothy would often muse, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if poets got awards in schools, like athletes do!”
Middle School students who would like to apply for the 2021 Capman Poetry Award are encouraged to visit marshallcf.org/receive/scholarships/ for more information. The Foundation would also like to encourage MPS Elementary Students to submit entries for the Helen Mack Poetry Awards. Entries for both the Capman and the Mack Poetry Awards are accepted in an on-going basis until April 1.
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The Marshall Community Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to improving quality of life in Marshall, and throughout Calhoun County. The Foundation holds permanently endowed funds from a range of donors, and serves as a conduit for special projects and the distribution of grants in support of innovative programs. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.marshallcf.org.