When Oak Heights teacher Melissa Kruzel delivered an assignment to write a poem to her sixth-graders, she got more than she expected – a prize-winner.
One of her students, Skyler Ericksen, turned in a poem entitled “The Ballad of the Wandering Soul,” was selected as a winner from dozens of entries in the Oregon Poetry Association’s 2025 Cascadia Youth Poetry Contest.
The assignment came during National Poetry Month – April, Kruzel and Skyler said.
“One of our assignments was to write a bunch of different poems,” Skyler said. “So when she called me to the back, we went over some of my work and then she recommended me to enter my poem in the contest.”
His poem, “The Ballad of the Wandering Soul,” was selected as one of the 10 winners in the sixth- through ninth-grade division, out of several dozen submissions from across the state. He received a $50 prize and his poem will be published in the upcoming Cascadia youth anthology.
“When I first read his poem, I thought it was fantastic and immediately hoped he would consider submitting it to the contest,” Kruzel said. “I offered a few minor grammar suggestions, and not only was he open to my feedback, he also made some thoughtful tweaks of his own during a short revision session we had in class — including giving the poem a title, which it did not originally have.”
Skyler said he likes reading and writing – in addition to basketball and soccer, he added – and he enjoyed the challenge of getting the poem to rhyme. He said he didn’t really have a big plan when he started the project.
“It was just the first thing that came to mind,” he said.
He was “quite surprised” to win.
Kruzel said she wasn’t surprised by his focus on the project.
“Skyler is one of my most advanced students, and language arts is easily his strongest subject. He reads high-level science fiction and fantasy independently and really connected with our poetry lessons in April during National Poetry Month.
“His other poems were very strong as well, but this one showed a level of skill, tone, and maturity that truly stood out.”
Kruzel said Skyler’s parents have been supportive in his efforts, allowing him to enter the contest.
“ It is wonderful to see a student’s creativity and efforts encouraged at home, at school, and by the community,” she said.
The Ballad of the Wandering Soul
By Skyler Eriksen
In a vale of shadows deep and wide,
A wandering soul took its stride,
Through forests dense and waters cold,
In search of tales yet to be told.
Embraced by moonlight’s gentle glow,
It journeyed where the soft winds blow,
Beyond the hills where wildflowers grow,
To realms unknown in twilight’s throe.
With stars to guide the restless feet,
Through paths where night and silence meet,
The soul pressed on, with heart replete,
In quest of songs both fierce and sweet.
The mountains stood in solemn grace,
The rivers ran their endless race,
As time wove threads of mystic lace,
In dreams the soul would soon embrace.
So hear the ballad softly sung,
Of wandering soul, forever young,
For in its journey, tales are spun.