Alyssa Boyd, a Westerville Central High School junior attending the Westerville Virtual Academy, placed first among Ohio teens and adults in the National Career Development Association 2020 Art & Poetry Contest.
The Ohio Career Development Association will now send her poem, “Unlocked,” to the national level to compete with other submissions across the United States.
Boyd has spent her time at home during the pandemic exploring her interest in poetry and writing. She was inspired to submit a poem after learning of the contest’s theme: “My Future Career - Imagine the Possibilities.”
“I love the idea that the future does not need to be tied down and that you can essentially decide your destiny, no matter how corny it sounds,” she said.
She wanted her poem to capture the hope and creativity that comes from youth and how to look at the future and careers through that lens.
“It is so important to not lose sight of how joyous and vibrant/rich you can make life, especially during these tough times,” she said. “My sincere hope is that people will read my poem and feel refreshed by the perspective.”
Read her poem here.