LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / November 1, 2000

DESTREHAN – Sophomore Ronnie Schumann has a passion for writing. Hedoesn’t know where it will lead him, but the talented poet says it could go anywhere.

Schumann’s poetry was submitted as part of English class requirements to the student creative writing contest for the national magazine, “Potato Hill Poetry.” He received first place honors for his poem, “The Road,” andhonorable mention for “Ode to Air Conditioning.”Schumann, the 15-year-old son of Ronald Jr. and Marilyn Schumann, even hada surprise phone call from the magazine’s editor to congratulate him.

“I just like writing,” he said. “I find poetry is easier since it lets you expressyour feelings easier.”He’s been writing for years, including fiction and non-fiction as well as poetry, and has attended the school system’s annual summer writing camp since fourth grade. The two-week camp works with student writers for threehours each day. The camp also includes a field trip.Even his class work gets accolades.

“Usually when I read a poem in class, they come up to me after and say, ‘I hate you, you’re so good.'”While most student poetry is serious, Schumann said his tends toward the whimsical. Hence, poems such as “Ode to Air Conditioning.”He was recently recognized by the St. Charles Parish School Board for hispublications and looks to spreading his artistic interests even more.

“I enjoy math and drama,” he said. “I’m just so spread out.”

Return To News Stories