Two Maplewood Intermediate School students have been awarded first and second place in the 5th grade category in Raynham Hall Museum’s 2023 Valentine’s Day Poetry Contest.  Ainsley Bobker won first place for her poem Locked Up Heart. Her classmate, Ashley Millman, took second place with her poem There Is You. Both are students in Mrs. Lourenco and Mrs. Lauria’s fifth grade class.

Historic Raynham Hall, located in Oyster Bay, New York, was the home of Robert Townsend, a central member of George Washington’s Culper Spy Ring. The home was occupied by British officer Lt. Col. John Graves Simcoe during the Revolutionary War.  Thanks to Simcoe, Raynham Hall is said to be home to the first documented Valentine’s poem in the United States. At the height of the Revolutionary War, on February 14, 1779, the museum says Lt. Col. Simcoe, commander of the British regiment of the Queen’s Rangers, presented young Sally Townsend with a poem, which read in part, “To you my heart I must resign, O choose me for your Valentine!”

In celebration of that amorous distinction, the museum hosts an annual poetry contest for children in grades 4 - 6 on the topic of love or Valentine’s Day.  Students can write a poem of any kind, no longer than 26 lines. There were 92 poems entered in this year’s contest. Justinne Lake-Jedzinak, Director of Education and Public Programs at Raynham Hall said many of the entries were well done, but the museum’s panel of judges found Ainsley’s and Ashley’s poems to be “exceptional.”

An awards ceremony is being held on Monday, February 13th at 4 pm at the museum’s Visitor Center.  The winners will be presented with a prize, a certificate, and will be asked to read their poem aloud for attendees.  For more information about Raynham Hall visit: https://raynhamhallmuseum.org/

The two winning poems are featured below.

Locked Up Heart (1st place winner)

By Ainsley Bobker

My heart is not open to love,

not the feelings I feel

during my daydream appeal

of the one I long for.

For you see my heart is locked

and only has one key.

I must be in harmony

til I see my destiny.

For not to be loved,

But feel it too.

With me and you

we will soar

with the passion we feel

and no longer long for.

There is You (2nd place winner)

By Ashley Millman

In my heart there is you,

For I wish you only knew,

The truth must be said and the truth is grand,

I really hope you understand,

Love is great and mine is strong,

And now I’m begging I’m not wrong,

You see I think you love me too,

I’ve taken my time and thought it through,

Now I’m sure of what to do,

I am completely in love with you,

Let's make it a world with you and me,

Think of how happy we could be,

Together,

Forever,

You don’t have to close your eyes to see,

You are funny, sweet, and kind,

I can’t get you out of my mind,

At last I ask will you be my valentine,

Please say that you will be mine,

And even if we stay apart,

You will still remain in my heart.

(Left to right) 5th grade teacher Tonya Lourenco, 2nd place winner Ashley Millman, Maplewood Principal William Hender, 1st place winner Ainsley Bobker, 5th grade teacher Jacqueline Lauria.