AUBURN — The Eckhart Public Library will hold its annual teen poetry contest in April.
April is National Poetry Month, and the library has offered this contest to middle and high school students for 18 years. The library encourages teens to express themselves and share their voices and experiences through poetry, putting their words on paper.
“The talent of so many of our region’s students is truly remarkable,” said civil service specialist Zach Heimach. “The expression and skill of their poems have been a gift to read, and we look forward to seeing submissions for this year.”
The contest is open to students in grades 6-12 and there is no limit to the number of poems each student can submit. Submissions are accepted April 1-30. After the poems are collected, they are judged by several Eckhart Public Library staff.
The library also worked with educators and classrooms to incorporate the poetry contest into the existing curriculum. Any educator interested in entering the contest can contact the library for additional information.
At the end of the competition, the library awards 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes to the high school and middle school divisions and publishes all poems in an anthology at The Teen Library.
“The Teen Library poetry volumes are some of my favorite items at EPL,” said Jamie Long, Marketing and Community Engagement Manager.
“Their voices convey humor, pain, and life in an honest and heartfelt way. Even though what they’re feeling isn’t always pretty, it’s their experience, and we want them to feel that way. comfortable to share.
Those interested in entering the teen poetry contest can do so online by visiting tinyurl.com/eplpoems22.
