Four former English as a Second Language (ESL) students were recently published in a national poetry competition. Yoselin Calderone, John Pescatore, Brenda Meza and Jussara Sandinha Veira were recognized for their efforts by the Hampton Bays Board of Education.

Last year, the students, who are currently seniors, participated in a “Celebration of Poets” poetry competition for ESL high schoolers, sponsored by Creative Communication. As competition winners, each had a poem published in the book “Celebration of Poets.”

According to Hampton Bays High School ESL teacher Robin Spielman, the four students have since been deemed proficient in English and passed the English Regents last year. Ms. Spielman began teaching the students when they were in middle school. Brenda and Jussara are now in her College Prep English course.

“I am very proud of all of them,” Ms. Spielman said.