Robert Tolle with his father Dave during the 2010 Abydos Dana K. Barber Student Writing Award ceremony at the Intercontinental Hotel. Thomas Nguyen photo.Ask Robert Tolle’s Clements High School teachers about him, most will point out he’s not a talkative kid. But as far as they’re concerned, his actions speak volumes.

Tolle, an 18-year-old senior, received a first-place award for a poem he wrote, inspired by Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, in flawless iambic pentameter.

He accepted his Abydos Learning International (formerly New Jersey Writing Project in Texas) Dana Kay Barber Writing Award March 6. The award recognizes excellent poetry and prose written by pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students.

Finalist for Touchdown Club honor

Earlier this year, Tolle was among 25 finalists recognized at the Touchdown Club’s 11th annual High School Scholar-Athlete luncheon. The finalists received $500 scholarships.

Tolle, who also throws discus for the track team, has earned his Boy Scout Eagle rank, and he’s wrapping up a season of coaching for the First Colony Youth Basketball Association.

"He’s one of those extraordinary kids," said Clements English department head Sheila McAninch, who has been obtaining other faculty members’ perspectives on Tolle.

"When he does speak, people listen," she said. "I don’t think he realizes the impact he’s had on the teachers."

Clements athletic coordinator and head football coach Keith Knowles said Tolle definitely has earned his respect.

Tolle, who played as linebacker and a fullback, is not as physically large as some football players, but he made a valuable contribution to the team, Knowles said.

"He made varsity as a junior, just by his hard work. You knew he’d come to practice every day and give you everything he’s got."

Poetry has earned him attention

His award-winning poem also has earned him attention at the Fort Bend Independent School District level.

Tim Martindell, district English Language Arts Coordinator for Secondary Schools, was one of two judges to review pieces nominated for the Dana Kay Barber Writing Awards.

The process involved blind judging; no one knew whose pieces they were considering.

"We were just blown away by his work, Martindell said. "He really took The Canterbury Tales and extended them.

"He was up against a lot of poetry," Martindell said. "His just had that spark."

Sandy Morgan, Tolle’s English teacher, said she loves when athletes like Tolle earn academic recognition. "This is a young man who, like a lot of athletes, turns in all of his work and does it extremely well.

How it came to be

Tolle’s poem was the result of an assignment from Morgan, based on an idea from Clements English teacher Nancy Liscum. After studying The Canterbury Tales, students were instructed to write their own satirical piece.

"I told them if they so desired, they could create a poem, but it had to be in iambic pentameter," Morgan said.

Iambic pentameter is a meter, rhyme and rhythm pattern in poetry that must occur in each line.

"I chose to take the challenge," Tolle said.

Because Chaucer’s prologue introduces his poem’s characters, Tolle decided to add a beggar. "He’s an older character who’s been through life and experienced different things."

Tolle learned several weeks ago his work won first place for his category in the Abydos writing competition.

"It’s an honor; I certainly didn’t expect it. I’m generally more of a science and math person."

Credit given to his grandfather

Tolle credits his grandfather, Donald Tolle, for helping him become a motivated writer.

"My grandfather died when I was very young, and so he didn’t have any direct influence on my writing, but rather influenced my father’s liking for grammar, which influenced me," said Tolle.

Donald Tolle took immense interest in grammar and had high expectations for his family.

Tolle also has been encouraged to excel by the others in his family. He is the son of Dave Tolle and Forough Danesh.

Tolle said he’s proud of his sister, 16-year-old Brooke, who earned higher scores on the PSAT than he did.

These days, Tolle is in the process of making decisions about college, where he plans to study engineering. He has been accepted by University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University and Louisiana State University, and he’s waiting to hear from Rice and Stanford universities.