5-10-2025 11:20pm

Little Miami High School Junior Wins Poetry Contest Two Years In A Row

Beth Callahan Editor

MORROW, OH -- Little Miami High School Junior Abigail Transfiguracion, 17, has done something that has not been done before. The daughter of Erin and Rodney Transfiguracion, Abigail is the first to win her age category for the International Armed Service YMCA Arts & Essay Contest two times in a row.

"Two times in general," she added.

Last year, Abigail's poem, From Seed to Sow, ended up winning for both her age category (15-16) and the Grand Prize.

"Last year’s theme was 'Courage' and I wrote From Seed to Sow, which highlighted the courage and will-power it takes being born into a military family and growing up as a Military Brat, in my experience," she explained.

This year, Abigail''s poem, Home Beyond Walls, was written about the art of adaptability and the resilience it takes to “grow in shifting soil.”

Along with being writer, Abigail' is involved with school and her community.

"I am the Founder of Little Miami High School’s “Girls in Leadership.” I founded the club, January of last year, in hopes to foster self-confidence, embracing individuality, promoting leadership and supporting one another within my school community," she said, explaining that her mission is to inspire and empower young women through engaging activities, meaningful discussions, and community-service events.

Abigail added that not only is she an advocate for Women Empowerment, she is an advocate for Mental Health.

Abigail is also a student athlete with experience in Cross Country, Track, and Swim, which she explained has taught her the values of self-discipline and time management. "Next year, I hope to continue with Cross Country and Swim," she added

Abigail added that she is committed entirely to Little Miami High School’s Air Force JROTC.

"Little Miami High School’s Air Force JROTC has giving me opportunities to serve the community through selected leadership roles such as a Flight Commander, Inspector General NCO, and Guidon NCO," she said.

"I was always very mature and a good example for leadership before joining, but this program has really given me the opportunity to go above and beyond," she said explaining that the after school activities such as Color Guard, Saber, various committees has given her the opportunity to go outside of her social comfort zone and meet more fellow students.

"JROTC has developed me into someone who is a responsible and capable citizen with knowledge about the importance of service, leadership, and will power. I have not only been influenced by this program, but also the fellow cadets within it. Shout out to Aysulu Kalmakova and Katelynn White," she added.

After high school, Abigail plans to pursue a career in Radiology or Nuclear Radiology and join the military. "I'm planning on staying in Ohio for college to stay closer to my family and friends. I ideally would like to go to a college with an Air Force ROTC or a ROTC program in general," she explained.

After winning two poetry contest, Abigail' added that many people have asked her why she doesn't want to pursue a career in writing poetry. "Poetry is one of my hobbies, I use poetry as a form of meditation and a form of journalism. Each poem gives the mood I feel while writing it. Each and every one of my poems are different, telling stories and feelings through my life. Though, I do not want to make a career solely on poetry, I would still like to publish a small book of all my poems from throughout my childhood," she explained.

With poetry being one of my hobbies, Abigail explained that radiology is a career "I plan to love and succeed in. Not many people are interested in or willing to become one (radiologist), but I am... I am still unsure whether or not I would like to be a technician or a specialist, but I will figure it out soon," she said.

Abigail plans on joining and commissioning as an officer in the military, ideally the Air Force to follow my father's path. "Throughout my future military experience, I will be a radiologist and hopefully, go through schooling to become a nuclear radiologist, but it depends how many years I want to study," she said.