Most students enjoy sports, drama, band, and academics. Others enjoy poetry. Khadijah Thompson loves poetry. A senior at Bob Jones High School, Khadijah won first place in the Regional Poetry Out loud competition after winning first place in the school-wide Poetry Out Loud competition.
Khadijah has always had a knack for activities involving literature.
“Last year, I won first place in the school-wide poetry contest and in my freshman year I got third place for a Huntsville Literature Association poetry contest,” said Khadijah.
Mrs. Sheila Hadden teaches English at Bob Jones and coordinates the school’s Poetry Out Loud activities. She mentored Khadijah for the Poetry Out Loud competition. “Khadijah made excellent choices for poetry recitation this year. Several participants asked how she came up with the poems, which has seldom been done at this level of the competition. Khadijah’s love of poetry and understanding of spoken word shine through when she recites,” explained Mrs. Hadden.
Khadijah and Mrs. Hadden endured an arduous poem selection process. First, Khadijah researched modern poets. She felt she would have more in common with modern poets and would better understand modern poetry. After hours of searching, she finally found poems that perfectly fit her personality and delivery.
“The poems she chose, Sestina: Like, by A.E. Stallings, and Numbers, by Mary Cornish, were written in the twentieth century and have an important message and a humorous undertone that Khadijah captured perfectly,” stated Mrs. Hadden.
Khadijah is also greatly involved in her other interests. She is a part of the French Club, the Social Studies National Honor Society, and the Culinary Team at Bob Jones. Khadijah has a passion for the culinary arts.
“I want to open a bakery/café one day,” said Khadijah.
Khadijah currently works at the Eaves Restaurant as a chef, and she plans on going to Johnson & Whales University to major in Baking and Pastry Arts.
“Khadijah is a great student,” said Mrs. Hadden. “She works at everything she attempts. She is a perfect balance of someone who has no fear in tackling what is important to her, and I believe she will be very successful in life.”
Khadijah Thompson is the epitome of the excellence that Bob Jones High School develops. She is not letting her youth keep her from realizing her dreams. Khadijah sets a great example for people of all ages to follow.
