Program - A Celebration of National Poetry Month
A Celebration of National Poetry Month
Teen Poetry Contest for 6th - 12th grade
The 2025 competition begins Wednesday, February 19th!
A Celebration of National Poetry Month
A POETRY CONTEST for High School and Middle School aged youth sponsored by the Johnson County Library
Begins: Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Ends: Wednesday, March 26, 2025
CONTEST GUIDELINES:
Deadline: Postmark or Library Stamped: March 26, 2025
Eligibility: Any Johnson County teen-aged student—middle school to high school aged. Home schooled students as well as public school students are welcome to participate.
Two Divisions: Middle School, grades 6-8 & High School, grades 9-12
Fees: NONE
GENERAL RULES for Entry:
1. Any subject.
2. Limited to 3 poems per entrant.
3. Limited to 40 lines per poem, no poem longer than one page.
4. Prizes for first, second, and third places of individual poems in both divisions; honorable mentions for three poems in both divisions.
SUBMISSION RULES:
1. One typed (preferred) hard copy of each poem with the title at the top of the page. Title may appear in the header, not considered a line of the poem. Standard 12-point font (New Times Roman, Arial, Courier). No color or illustration.
2. Each entry must be accompanied by a cover sheet. Cover Sheet must include the name of the participant, grade, school name/homeschool, address, phone number and an email, the Titles of each poem and Type of Poems (either FREE VERSE or FORM POETRY) per entry. Also sign with a legible signature of agreement to allow a winning entry to be displayed at the Johnson County Library and a potential invitation to read a poem on local radio.
(FREE VERSE is distinguished from FORM POETRY. Form Poetry includes types like “Sonnet,” “Terza Rima,” “Haiku,” “Rhymed Verse,” “Ballad.” This is not an all-inclusive list. For further clarification, you might like to look at: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/poetry-101-what-is-poetic-form-learn-about-15-different-types-of-poems)
3. Each poem must have a title at the top of the poem
4. Poet’s name must NOT appear on the poems submitted.
(The cover sheet should have the poet’s name and the title for identification.)
5. DEADLINE: Only poems that meet the Wednesday, March 26, 2025 deadline will be considered, NO SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THIS DATE.
Submit Entries to:
- Mail to Johnson County Library, c/o Director, 171 N. Adams, Buffalo, WY 82834.
- Drop-offs at the library must be to a librarian who will date the entry by hand.
- Electronic copies may be submitted to director@johnsoncountylibraries.org with the subject Library Poetry Contest 2025.
6. No poems will be returned so be sure to keep a copy of your own and the names of the entries.
*Entries must conform to these guidelines or they will be disallowed for winning.*
7. Winners will be contacted by the Johnson County Library Director by Friday, April 18. Winners will be asked to share their poems in print at the library. Poets may be invited to read their poem on local radio. (Please note your permission on the cover sheet of entry.)
Questions regarding this contest may be directed to Lindsey Belliveau at 307-684-5546 or director@johnsoncountylibraries.org, Mrs. Wages at Buffalo High School at kwages@jcsd1.us, Mr. Scarlet at Clear Creek Middle School at miscarlett@jcsd1.us, or Dr. Hanson at New West High School mhanson@jcsd1.us.
This contest will be judged by 2 judges. Decisions are theirs entirely and may not be disputed by entrants.
Prizes sponsored by the Patricia Marton Memorial Fund.