Parent's perspective: Third-grade son becomes passionate about poetry

Makai T. and his mother, LaQueena Rowe, at Fall Frenzy in October. Makai loves writing poetry. 

Of all the things LaQueena Rowe envisioned her kids' interests bringing to her home, a poetry bulletin board never made the list.

However, within weeks of her third-grader Makai T. joining DC SCORES, that was a reality — a board featuring his growing collection of poems.

Like many boys, Makai was most excited about playing sports when DC SCORES entered Ketcham Elementary School this fall.

“He had the soccer stuff ready (before the first practice), he made sure that soccer gear was in his book bag," LaQueena said.

But as much as Makai enjoyed playing soccer, he quickly became an avid writer of poetry. The 8-year-old began bringing home poems about everything from animals, to sports, to his mom — that was LaQueena's favorite.

“When I come home I ask, 'Makai, how was poetry?' He says, ‘Mom, it was wonderful!’” LaQueena said.

"That’s what I like about DC SCORES. It opened up another hobby I could offer him instead of the basics that kids do."

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LaQueena said Makai has always had pretty bad issues paying attention in school. That is, until he received his first DC SCORES notebook and began writing. He still struggles at times, but has made vast improvements.

Not only that, but his handwriting is better and his vocabulary is steadily growing.

Makai was also extremely shy. LaQueena recalled the first project of the year, when Makai mumbled his way through a presentation to the class about tigers.

Now he presents in the house for family family members and when asked if he was timid to present a poem, Makai shook his head vigorously. Nope, he was ready.

LaQueena does some writing herself, so she knows the benefits of putting a pen to paper and expressing oneself. She's not expecting her son to become a Slam! star anytime soon, but recognizes the effect it has had — and will continue to have — on other aspects of his life.

“In our environment you don’t have too much of [the arts]," LaQueena said. "You have just like the football, the loud stuff. For him, the poetry it keeps him calm, he gets in his own mode, and he just goes.

“It opens up another part of Makai I didn’t know existed."

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