The Land Trust of West Haven brought together poetry, nature, and community spirit during its annual “Poet-TREE” Celebration, an evening dedicated to honoring young writers and fostering a deeper connection to the natural world.
Held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in Gardner Lecture Hall at the high school, the event welcomed families, students, educators, and community members for “An Evening of Poetry, Nature & Young Voices.”
The evening began with a warm gathering featuring light refreshments, allowing attendees to explore and connect before the formal program. Land Trust President Marilyn Wilkes opened the event with welcoming remarks and introduced the organization’s Board of Directors, highlighting the collective effort behind both the Poetry Contest and the Land Trust’s broader environmental mission.
“Events like this remind us that protecting our environment isn’t just about land—it’s about people,” said Wilkes. “When young people are inspired to write about the natural world, they begin to see it differently. They begin to value it, and ultimately, they become the next generation of stewards for our shoreline and open spaces.”
Dolores Libow shared the story behind the organization’s beloved “Poetry Post,” reflecting on its creation by former Land Trust president Gabriel “Gabe” Alvandian. Gabe, who recently passed away, was remembered for the lasting imprint he left on the Land Trust and the community. In recognition of his invaluable contributions, his wife, Robin, was presented with flowers in a heartfelt tribute to his legacy.
Christine Gallo-Yatcko then introduced the evening’s featured poets and judges, Claire Zoghb and Tony Fusco, setting the stage for a celebration of literary talent. The audience was treated to readings by both of them, whose work offered inspiration and a powerful example of poetry’s ability to capture the beauty of the natural world.
A highlight of the evening was the awards ceremony, presented by Ron Walters and Francesca Nardi, recognizing student poets across multiple grade levels — from elementary school through high school. The contest showcased the depth of creativity among West Haven’s youth, with winners representing schools throughout the city.
The celebration continued with a moving “Poet-TREE Winners Showcase,” where the first-place winners read their work aloud, bringing their words to life and earning enthusiastic applause from the audience. The evening concluded with closing remarks and expressions of gratitude to the participants, judges, and supporters who made the event possible.
In total, dozens of students were recognized for their work, including top honors awarded across grades three through ten, as well as several honorable mentions. The breadth of participation reflected the growing impact of the Poetry Contest, which is held annually in conjunction with National Poetry Month and Earth Day.
The event also underscored the Land Trust’s mission to connect environmental stewardship with community engagement. Special recognition was given to Ivy League Landscaping for its donation of the native plant awards given to the first-place winners, which served as both inspiration for the students’ writing and a tangible reminder of the importance of preserving local ecosystems.
Through events like the “Poet-TREE” Celebration, the Land Trust of West Haven continues to nurture not only the city’s open spaces, but also the voices of its next generation—encouraging young people to see the natural world not just as something to enjoy, but something to protect.
The first-place winners’ poems can be seen in the Land Trust’s Poetry Post on the West Haven Boardwalk and on below.
Poet-TREE Winners
GRADE THREE
1. Deverton Darden Morriss – Pagels School
2. Brielle Brouillard – Seth Haley School
3. Kumsal Yigir – Washington School
GRADE FOUR
1. Chizatara Anioke – Forest Elementary School
2. Minha Almed – Mackrille School
3. Alejandro Depotio – Saint Lawrence School
GRADE FIVE
1. Gabriella deNicolo – Saint Lawrence School
2. Calyse Edwards – Saint Lawrence School
3. Faith Kim – Saint Lawrence School
GRADE SIX
1. Ijazullah Asmatzai – Carrigan Intermediate School
2. Scarlett Gallagher – Carrigan Intermediate School
3. Aurelia Tehebe – Carrigan Intermediate School
GRADE SEVEN
1. Isabella Celentano – Saint Lawrence School
2. Ishani Jackson – Saint Lawrence School
3. Ashlyn Johnson – Saint Lawrence School
GRADE EIGHT
1. Noah Rivera – Bailey Middle School
2. Ariel Titus – Bailey Middle School
3. Noriyah McLean – Bailey Middle School
GRADE TEN
1. Taiki Ito – Notre Dame High School
2. Malcolm Thompson – Notre Dame High School
3. Antonio Pearson – Notre Dame High School
HONORABLE MENTION
Geronimo Osario – Carrigan Intermediate School
Christa Orfei – Saint Lawrence School
Layla Jean Francois – Bailey Middle School
Lehanna Philogene – Saint Lawrence School
Osemudiamen Kakulu – Saint Lawrence School
Brielle Roberts – Saint Lawrence School
Shafee Jones – Saint Lawrence School
Scarlett Elena Vasquez – West Haven High School
First Place Winners
Second and Third Place Winners
Honorable Mentions
First Place Poems
