She sent the book to the National Author's Registry, which, along with the magazine Verses, annually sponsors a contest for best new book of poetry.

And Sutton won the top award, which means her book will be published by Cader Publishing, Ltd., in Michigan and she will receive $200 and free advertising for the book in Verses for two years. "It has always been a dream of mine to have a book published," says Sutton.

Another dream of hers that came true is the poetry class she teaches at SHS. She started the class three years ago and now teaches two sections, one of which is an advanced class. That class is limited to four or five students, and all the students therein have had their work published in magazines or literary journals. No mean feat, as anyone who has tried to get poetry published can tell you.

Her advanced students this year are Matt Maurer, Lauren Young, Kalvin Wang and Teresa Lee . Sutton's successes affirm her conviction that good writers get better through mentoring.

She mentors her advanced students and they, in turn, mentor the beginning students. "Mentoring poets is the most rewarding teaching experience I've ever had," she says. "It's amazing what they can do one on one. The process allows you to flower." Her own mentor was San Francisco beat poet Diane Dipremo .

The certificate proclaiming her poet of the year came encased in cardboard and, in the rush of Christmas, she almost overlooked it as an ad gimmick. When she finally opened it up she was so overwhelmed she could hardly speak. "I nearly fainted."

She had forgotten all about the contest, since a year had passed. When she called her husband to tell him the news, she couldn't get the words out—she was so stunned she was whispering. He thought there was something wrong and came home immediately. Instead, there was something very right.

MISSIONARIES: In town for the holidays were the Wicks — Dan , Berit and Kristina —with an update on their missionary progress. After a year of Spanish language and cultural immersion in the other San Jose—the one in Costa Rica—the family is ready and eager for missionary work in Colombia.

The Wicks are more convinced than ever that this Latin American missionary work is their rightful calling. Doors have opened for them—no red tape, and fees they feared would be exorbitant have been abruptly whittled down. In short, they've had a remarkably clear passage. A message from God, they feel.

For the next two or more years they'll be living in Cartagena, Colombia, a resort town on the northern coast, considered to be relatively safe after the political turmoil in that country.

In Colombia, Kristina, a seventh-grader, will attend an international school while her parents teach and administer at a Christian school. Berit will teach English and computers; Dan will work in administration.

During their Costa Rica stay they provided food every Sunday for 35-50 homeless men in a church located in the seediest part of town. Dan helped provide small loans for people who wanted to start their own businesses, mostly single mothers.

They were surprised by all the security needed in their home there—six locks on the door. But they were gratified by how thoroughly they were welcomed into the community. They are godparents to the baby of a new mother there, a refugee they met when they frequented the bakery where she worked.

One time, Dan's backpack was stolen from a deli and the shop manager chased the thief, caught and held him until police came. Another example of the support they've received. Both Wicks toiled in the high-tech field before feeling the call to missionary work.

"We come to worship, but depart to serve," a message they saw on a church sign, has become their personal motto. Immanuel Lutheran is their Saratoga church and they have received much support from members there. Their Colombia address: Apartado Aereo 2914, Cartagena, Colombia. Email: dwick@lam.org.

GRIEF WORKSHOP: Betty Auchard will lead a workshop, "Life After Spousal Loss," presented by Hospice of the Valley on Jan. 25, 9:30 a.m.­noon, at Second Harvest Food Bank on Curtner Avenue in San Jose.

Auchard takes a serious subject and makes it humorous. Widowed four years ago, she tells her story of loss, surviving and even thriving after spousal loss. Art therapist Carol Johnson Davis , director of bereavement services for Hospice of the Valley, will discuss the "tasks of grief" from William Worden's classic text Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy in relationship to Auchard's presentation.

For more information, call 408.947.1233, ext. 422. The cost is $25.

Got a tip for Saratoga Sampler? Send email to maryanncook@earthlink.net.