Zoey Swindell

age:10

Zoey Swindell grew up watching her mother, Tonya, write poems and stories on her computer. At age 7, Zoey realized she wanted to do the same and started to write too.

Today, Zoey is 10 years old and has received numerous awards for her poems and other writings. Last school year, Zoey won first place in a young authors’ contest for the fourth-grade class at Creekside Elementary School.

“I like that I can express myself through words and show my personality,” said Zoey. “Also, I can make myself laugh with the funny poems I write or make other people laugh too.”

Even if Zoey’s poems provide a chuckle, they also can carry serious themes, like her award-winning poem “You Are Beautiful Just the Way You Are” from the 2018 TidewaterReads.org regional poetry contest. According to her poem, “even if you fell into a tree and fell on your head. Well, you got hit in the right spot because when you woke up, you were beautiful, because God had a plan and that plan is you will always be beautiful, no matter what.”

Zoey is always ready to share her poetry with others. This school year, Zoey’s annual back-to-school tea party was moved to virtual, and she read her poem “We’re All in This Together” to inspire her friends even though they were apart.

“I started a tea party for my friends before we go back to school so we can see each other,” said Zoey. “We want this to inspire other mothers and daughters to spend time together and encourage each other.”

This tea party has had notable speakers, including Dr. Christine Darden, who was one of the “human computers” working for NASA during the space race.

Zoey also got the chance to participate in a VIP mixer when special guest author Olugbemisola Rhuday- Perkovich visited Suffolk Public Library for a Zoom party. She got to attend because her question was chosen to be asked during the live event. Even in her question, Zoey proved that writing is always on her mind and something she will be thinking about for a long time.

“I asked her if she could publish one of my stories,” she said. “It’s not finished yet, though.”

— Rachel Wartian

What is your favorite TV show? “That’s So Raven”

What is your favorite dessert? Brownies