Fun Stuff
At NATS, we know that just because you're working hard, it doesn't mean you can't have fun! Every year we sponsor a Corn Poetry Contest-and the winner receives a $50 gift certificate to Southpointe Mall. Although it hasn't been scientifically proven yet, we believe that every Nebraskan teen has an innate love for corn-you just need an outlet to express it! We hope you enjoy reading some of the fine literary works below.
2007 Corn Poetry Contest Winner
2006 Corn Poetry Contest Winner
2005 Corn Poetry Contest Winner
2004 Corn Poetry Contest Winner
2001 Corn Poetry Contest Winner
2007 Corn Poetry Contest Co-Winners
Eric Price and Tamara Hunt tied for first place this year. Eric's poem was created to be in the shape of a corn tassel. Congrats to both of you!!
Freedom!
by Eric Price
A
small
and
bright
green
tassel
is held captive
atop a castle.
Locked
against its will,
in the highest room of the tallest tower,
powerless, it knows no freedom.
This dreadful corn kingdom
presents itself a formidable foe
for those who would dare rescue this hostage.
Fortunately, we specialize in liberation
and consider it an honor to perform
this emancipation. The guard leaves are sharp;
they slash and slice, yet they seem no match
for our brash brand of courage, fortitude and joy.
We make our attack on this lofty stronghold.
Our feints prove valiant as the fortress
forswears its claim to the tassel.
With little additional hassle
we overcome.
We rise above
and give
this slave
unbound
fresh hope.
Be free, tassel, be free.
NATS Victory Song
by Tamara Hunt
Sung to the tune of the Notre Dame Fight Song
We are detasselers; it is our job
Pulling tassels as we pass every cob
Heat, rain, pivots, we'll never fear
because the NATS team is always here!
Up every morning; tape on our feet,
Glasses and hats and bug spray with Deet
We're prepared to get the job done
'Cause the NATS crew is number 1!
A hundred acres; it's a hundred and two,
Passing the rows with mud in my shoe
No obstacle can keep us down
Because soon we'll be back in town.
One hour bus trip out to the field
Though we're exhausted we'll never yield
In the rain we may need to wade
But just wait till we get paid!
Go home and wash up--to bed I go
Up at 4 to hear the cock crow
One pull, two pulls, three pulls, Done!
Working with NATS is fun!
2006 Corn Poetry Contest Winner
Ode to a Summer Job
by Sarah Tonjes
Sunshine gold on emerald field
Does make my heart grow light;
My jubilation unconcealed
From detasseling day and night.
Whisp'ring breezes in the corn
Intangible as ghosts;
Taunt with coolilng air, and warn
Of tassels each row boasts.
Dewdrops bright as molten glass
Drench me head to toe;
As I tread each row, each pass
The mud seems to deeper grow.
I see my cuts and blisters sore
Not as mere marks of trade;
But as the wounds from a worthy war
When the tassels I have stayed.
And though exhausted I may be
I'm comforted to know;
That tassels will be there for me
No matter where my row!
2005 Corn Poetry Contest Winner
Corn, Oh, Corn
By Mark Hennings
In the morning, there is a cool dew
That makes your anthers glisten like gold
And I walk briskly beside you
You and I are together, despite the cold
In the afternoon, I see your chlorophyll shine
Like the bright morning sun
You appear to me as heaven divine
Of all the plants in agriculture, you are the best one
And the evening comes like a burninating Trogdor
But I won't leave you, I won't hesitate at the end of the row
For such a thing Dawn would truly abhor
And I won't be like unfaithful Lisa who left you for Mexico
Your lovely, slender green leaves
Your firm, beautiful stem
Together we feel the cool, soothing breeze
Corn, oh corn, you are my most wonderful friend
2004 Corn Poetry Contest Winner
The Twelve Days of Detasseling
D. R. Hamilton
On the first day of detasseling, Dawn Buell gave to me,
Eyewear to protect from UV!
On the second day of detasseling, Dawn Buell gave to me,
Two duct-taped shoes,
And eyewear to protect from UV!
On the third day of detasseling, Dawn Buell gave to me,
Three first-years,
Two duct-taped shoes,
And eyewear to protect from UV!
On the fourth day of detasseling, Dawn Buell gave to me,
Four-hour rides,
Three first-years,
Two duct-taped shoes,
And eyewear to protect from UV!
On the fifth day of detasseling, Dawn Buell gave to me,
FIVE THIRD-PULL FIELDS!
Four-hour rides,
Three first-years,
Two duct-taped shoes,
And eyewear to protect from UV!
On the sixth day of detasseling, Dawn Buell gave to me,
Six bags of Skittles,
FIVE THIRD-PULL FIELDS!
Four-hour rides,
Three first-years,
Two duct-taped shoes,
And eyewear to protect from UV!
On the seventh day of detasseling, Dawn Buell gave to me,
Seven pullers pulling,
Six bags of Skittles,
FIVE THIRD-PULL FIELDS!
Four-hour rides,
Three first-years,
Two duct-taped shoes,
And eyewear to protect from UV!
On the eighth day of detasseling, Dawn Buell gave to me,
An eight-seated bus,
Seven pullers pulling,
Six bags of Skittles,
FIVE THIRD-PULL FIELDS!
Four-hour rides,
Three first-years,
Two duct-taped shoes,
And eyewear to protect from UV!
On the ninth day of detasseling, Dawn Buell gave to me,
Nine...ty extra acres,
An eight-seated bus,
Seven pullers pulling,
Six bags of Skittles,
FIVE THIRD-PULL FIELDS!
Four-hour rides,
Three first-years,
Two duct-taped shoes,
And eyewear to protect from UV!
On the tenth day of detasseling, Dawn Buell gave to me,
Ten pivot tracks,
Nine...ty extra acres,
An eight-seated bus,
Seven pullers pulling,
Six bags of Skittles,
FIVE THIRD-PULL FIELDS!
Four-hour rides,
Three first-years,
Two duct-taped shoes,
And eyewear to protect from UV!
On the eleventh day of detasseling, Dawn Buell gave to me,
Eleven popsicles,
Ten pivot tracks,
Nine...ty extra acres,
An eight-seated bus,
Seven pullers pulling,
Six bags of Skittles,
FIVE THIRD-PULL FIELDS!
Four-hour rides,
Three first-years,
Two duct-taped shoes,
And eyewear to protect from UV!
On the twelfth day of detasseling, Dawn Buell gave to me,
Twelve hundred dollars,
Eleven popsicles,
Ten pivot tracks,
Nine...ty extra acres,
An eight-seated bus,
Seven pullers pulling,
Six bags of Skittles,
FIVE THIRD-PULL FIELDS!
Four-hour rides,
Three first-years,
Two duct-taped shoes,
And eyewear to protect from UV!
2001 Corn Poetry Contest Winner
Not Afraid
By Amanda K. Kuehn
We are detasselers, it is our job, it's what we do all day
And if we didn't work so hard we never would be paid
We fill all the requirements we must meet to join our crew
You must work hard, you must be tough, do your best in what you do
We're not afraid to rip our clothes, or stain the things we wear
We're not out to make a fashion statement, we don't mind if they tear
We're not afraid to show the marks the leaves scratch on our face
We're not afraid of falling down, we do it all with grace
We're not afraid of getting wet or muddy in the rain
We're not afraid of dirty swamps, we aren't afraid of pain
We're not afraid of all the bugs that crawl across our clothes
Or of the yellow pollen we breathe in our mouth and up our nose
We're not afraid of rows so long it seems they never stop
Or of the corn that grows so tall you must jump to see the top
We're not afraid of finishing any field that we start
Even if eight rounds go by, we will not fall apart
We're not afraid of smelly swamps that come up past our shins
We're not afraid of rewalking a field we've been in
We're not afraid of any field that we've encountered yet
We're not afraid of anything-we're not afraid to sweat!
