LIGONIER VALLEY
WRITERS
STUDENT POETRY CONTEST 2022 WINNERS
Local Students Win Poetry Prizes
Ligonier Valley Writers has just announced that students from schools throughout western Pennsylvania have won awards in LVW's 31st annual Student Poetry Awards.
Award Presentation and Reading at Greensburg Barnes & Noble
Left to right: Jessica Mack (Ligonier Valley Middle School), Emma Cruz (Ligonier Valley Middle School), Katrina Bennett (Ligonier Valley Middle School), Olivia Belcher (North Allegheny High School), Emma Package (Ligonier Valley Middle School), Audrey Starck (North Allegheny High School), Anthony Barbera (Valley School of Ligonier), Kathryn Mi (North Allegheny High School), Jarett Krupper (Ligonier Valley Middle School), and Carter
Left to right: Emma Cruz, Emma Package, Katrina Bennett, Carter Gunn, Jarett Krupper, Anthony Barbera, and Jessica Mack. All are from Ligonier Valley Middle School except for Anthony, who attends Valley School of Ligonier.
Left to right: Joe Potts, LVW member; Emma Cruz (Ligonier Valley Middle School), Emma Package (Ligonier Valley MS), Jessica Mack (Ligonier Valley MS), Katrina Bennett (Ligonier Valley MS), Anthony Barbera (Valley School of Ligonier), Judith Gallagher, LVW’s publicity director; Carter Gunn (Ligonier Valley MS); Jim Busch, LVW’s president and emcee of the awards ceremony; and Jarett Krupper (L
Left to right: Jessica Mack (Ligonier Valley Middle School), Emma Cruz (Ligonier Valley Middle School), Katrina Bennett (Ligonier Valley Middle School), Olivia Belcher (North Allegheny High School), Emma Package (Ligonier Valley Middle School), Audrey Starck (North Allegheny High School), Anthony Barbera (Valley School of Ligonier), Kathryn Mi (North Allegheny High School), Jarett Krupper (Ligonier Valley Middle School), and Carter
Congratulations to our 2022 Winners!
Naccarato Awards: The Best of the Best
The John T. Naccarato Memorial Award, sponsored by Michele Jones, is awarded for the poem that is judged the best of the best in each age group.
Winners are Ryan Mohney of Ligonier Valley Middle School for “All about Earth!” (grades 4-6), Becca Codner of Marshall Middle School in Wexford for “Not a Morning Person” (grades 7-9) and Kathryn Mi of North Allegheny High School for “the prelude begins inside the mouth” (grades 10-12).
Grades 4-6
The winners of the Paul Spencer and Kathleen Brittain Poetry Award for rhymed verse (sponsored by Paul S. Brittain) are Anthony Barbera of the Valley School of Ligonier (first prize for “A Day in the Snow”), Jessica Mack of Ligonier Valley Middle School (second prize for “Battle through Life”) and Emma Cruz, also of Ligonier Valley Middle School (third prize for “The Quivering River”).
Winners of the Glenda Busch Memorial Award for unrhymed verse (sponsored by Jim Busch) are all from Ligonier Valley Middle School: Carter Gunn (first prize for “Monday”), Katrina Bennett (second prize for “Comfort Zone”) and Evan Penrose (third prize for “Baseball Fright”).
All three winners of the Henry Clay and Gladys Maas Pruitt Award for haiku (sponsored by Candace Green) are from Ligonier Valley Middle School: Emma Package (first prize for “Dreaming”), Jarett Krupper (second prize for “Shadow Catcher”) and Scout Hinton (third prize for “Beyond the Darkness”).
Grades 7-9
First-prize winner of the Highview Farm Award for traditional verse (sponsored by Sally Shirey) is Jack Edwards of Belle Vernon Area Middle School for “Covid Birthdays.” Second-prize winner is Mackenzie Birchak of Wendover Middle School for “I Know Your True Fear.” Third-prize winner is Taylor Beech of Belle Vernon Area Middle School for “Nature’s Goodbye.”
First-prize winner of the Shirey Poetry Award for free verse (also sponsored by Sally Shirey) is Mallory Wasicek of Belle Vernon Area Middle School for “Smile.” Second-prize winner is Grace Gardner of Wendover Middle School for “Home Is . . .” Third-prize winner is Daniel Kissell of Wendover Middle School for “Kindness Speaks.”
First-prize winner of the Ogden Nash Award for light humorous verse (sponsored by Anita Staub) is Zach Plymire for “The Mustard and the Ketchup.” Second-prize winner is Spencer Anderson for “Jealous Jelly.” Third-prize winner is Mona Brooks for “Chasing Flies.” All three winners attend Belle Vernon Area Middle School.
Grades 10-12
In Grades 10-12, the first-prize winner of the Dr. Len Roberts Memorial Award for traditional verse (sponsored by Ruth McDonald) is Audrey Starck of North Allegheny High School for “Heart over Matter.” Second-prize winner is Ashley Cumpston of Norwin High School for “Weathered.” Third-prize winner is Jacob Orlofske of Keystone Oaks High School for “Familiar Scene.”
Kathryn Mi of North Allegheny High School won first prize in the Hayden Savinda Memorial Award for free verse (sponsored by Ronald J. Shafer) for “all the courses of our family values are written between the lines of my suicide notes and my father’s will.” Second-prize winner is Audrey Starck of North Allegheny for “Wings of Lead.” Third-prize winner is Abigail Wolfgang of Greater Latrobe Senior High School for “She Won’t Be There.”
First-prize winner of the Marie Martin Memorial Award for romantic poetry (sponsored by Phil and Mary Lou Fleming) is Audrey Starck of North Allegheny for “Our Perfect.” Second-prize winner is Olivia Belcher of North Allegheny High School for “Syringa x Laciniata.” Third-prize winner is Alcameana Kennedy of Albert Gallatin High School for “Shattered.”
One student, Audrey Starck, won three awards: first prize in both categories G and I and second in H. Kathryn Mi won the Naccarato Award for Grades 10-12 (as she did last year) as well as first prize in categories G and I. Special congratulations to Audrey and Kathryn.
Four teachers had multiple winners in their classes: Kelly Ankney of Ligonier Valley Middle School, Carol Aten Frow of Belle Vernon Middle School, Janelle Lombardi of North Allegheny High School, and Jaime Gacek of Wendover Middle School. Congratulations and thanks to them as well for encouraging their students to write and to enter the contest every year.
STUDENT POETRY CONTEST 2021 WINNERS
Local Students Win Poetry Prizes
Ligonier Valley Writers has just announced that students from schools throughout western Pennsylvania have won awards in LVW's 30th annual Student Poetry Awards.
Congratulations to our 2021 Winners!
Naccarato Awards: The Best of the Best
The John T. Naccarato Memorial Award, sponsored by Michele Jones, is awarded for the poem that is judged the best of the best in each age group.
Winners are Dominic Dongilla of Horace Mann Elementary School in Indiana for “The Misfit Shape” (grades 4-6), Anna St. Clair of United Junior/Senior High School in Armagh for “The Hidden Half” (grades 7-9) and Kathryn Mi of North Allegheny High School for “sparrow” (grades 10-12).
Grades 4-6
The winners of the Paul Spencer and Kathleen Brittain Poetry Award for rhymed verse (sponsored by Paul S. Brittain) are all by students in Ligonier Valley Middle School. Marlee Miller won first prize for “2020 . . .”), Jayde Roble won second prize for “Tourette’s Syndrome,” and Parker Hannah won third prize for “Friends You Can Trust”).
Winners of the Chestnut Ridge Literary Award for unrhymed verse (sponsored by Lou and Barbara Steiner) are Liam McMahen of Derry Area Valley Middle School (first prize for “The Court”), Nathan Beech of Ligonier Valley Middle School (second prize for “Life”) and Roman Simmons, also of Ligonier Valley Middle School (third prize for “The Baseball”).
Winners of the Hayden Savinda Memorial Award for haiku (sponsored by Ronald J. Shafer) are Sarah Daniels of Latrobe Elementary School (first prize for “Spectacles”), Lila Smith of Ligonier Valley Middle School (second prize for “Wonderful Winter”) and Callen McPherson, also of Ligonier Valley Middle School (third prize for “Park Pals”).
Grades 7-9
First-prize winner of the Highview Farm Award for traditional verse (sponsored by Sally Shirey) is Abigail Showman of Belle Vernon Area Middle School for “Memory.” Second-prize winner is Cortni Tinkey of the Verna Montessori School in Mt. Pleasant for “The Waters.” Third-prize winner is Cole Browder of Belle Vernon Area Middle School for “Addicted.”
First-prize winner of the Shirey Poetry Award for free verse (also sponsored by Sally Shirey) is T. J. Sedlak of Belle Vernon Area Middle School for “Into the Storm.” Second-prize winner is Taylor Walsh of Chartiers Valley Middle School for “Diamond Love.” Third-prize winner is Alana Mitchell of Belle Vernon Area Middle School for “I Am Still Me.”
First-prize winner of the Ogden Nash Award for light humorous verse (sponsored by Anita Staub) is Ava Scalise for “Contemplating Thoughts.” Second-prize winner is T. J. Sedlak for “Best Friend.” Third-prize winner is Braden Andrews for “Life of Grass.” All three winners attend Belle Vernon Area Middle School.
Grades 10-12
First-prize winner of the Dr. Len Roberts Memorial Award for traditional verse (sponsored by Ruth McDonald) is Kathryn Mi of North Allegheny High School for “Admission from Girl to Girl on Opposite Sides of the Altar.” Second-prize winner is Kylie Landis of Somerset Area High School for “I’m Going to School Today.” Third-prize winner is Angel Brennsteiner of Albert Gallatin High School for “Green.”
Angel Brennsteiner of Albert Gallatin also won first prize in the Henry Clay and Gladys Maas Pruitt Award for free verse (sponsored by Candace Green) for “Flying Is Better When We Do It Together.” Second-prize winner is Kylie Landis of Somerset Area High School for “Recipe for a Difficult Decision.” Third-prize winner is Addy Shapiola of Derry Area High School for “Sorry, Barbie.”
First-prize winner of the Marie Martin Memorial Award for romantic poetry (sponsored by Phil and Mary Lou Fleming) is Kathryn Mi of North Allegheny for “Love Dream.” Second-prize winner is Aleena Martin of Blairsville High School for “My Universe.” Third-prize winner is Kylie Landis of Somerset Area High School for “You.”
Two students won three prizes each, a new record for the Student Poetry Contest. Kathryn Mi won the Naccarato Award for Grades 10-12 as well as first prize in the Len Roberts and Marie Martin Awards categories. Kylie Landis won second prize in the Roberts and Pruitt Awards categories and third prize in the Martin category. Special congratulations to Kathryn and Kylie.
T. J. Sedlak won first prize in the Shirey Awards and second prize in the Nash Awards categories. Angel Brennsteiner won first prize in the Pruitt Awards and third prize in the Roberts Awards.
Five teachers had multiple winners in their classes: Kelly Ankney of Ligonier Valley Middle School, Carol Aten Frow of Belle Vernon Middle School, Janelle Lombardi of North Allegheny High School, Sarah Pile of Somerset Area High School, and April Serock of Albert Gallatin High School.
STUDENT POETRY CONTEST 2020 WINNERS
Local Students Win Poetry Prizes
Ligonier Valley Writers has just announced that students from schools throughout western Pennsylvania have won awards in LVW's 29th annual Student Poetry Awards.
Congratulations to our 2020 Winners!
Grades 4-6
The winners of the Paul Spencer and Kathleen Brittain Poetry Award for rhymed verse (sponsored by Paul S. Brittain) are Jessica Tittle of Conemaugh Township Middle School (first prize for "Butterflies Fly"), Keira Neiderhiser of Ligonier Valley Middle School (second prize for “Halloween”) and Jack Walker Petrof, also of Ligonier Valley Middle School (third prize for “War").
Winners of the Chestnut Ridge Literary Award for unrhymed verse (sponsored by Lou and Barbara Steiner) are Anna Marie Stephenson of Ligonier Valley Middle School (first prize for " You're Not Here"), Alana Poponick of the Valley School of Ligonier (second prize for “A Moment of Solitude") and Jana Smith, also of the Valley School of Ligonier (third prize for " Home Is Near the Heart").
Winners of the Hayden Savinda Memorial Award for haiku (sponsored by Ronald J. Shafer) are Julian Thorne of Conemaugh Township Middle School (first prize for “Fishing”), Anna Stauffer of Ligonier Valley Middle School (second prize for “Storm”) and Robert Heimerle, also of Ligonier Valley Middle School (third prize for “The Chase").
Grades 7-9
First-prize winner of the Highview Farm Award for traditional verse (sponsored by Sally Shirey) is Isabella Godzak for "Loving on the Edge.” Second-prize winner is Reyna Borrello for "The Painting.” Third-prize winner is Kataira Rhodes for “Broken.” All three winners attend Belle Vernon Area Middle School.
First-prize winner of the Shirey Poetry Award for free verse (also sponsored by Sally Shirey) is Krishna Visanakarrala of Chartiers Valley Middle School for "My Pain Inside." Second-prize winner is Joshua Plarchak of Belle Vernon Area Middle School for "Starved." Third-prize winner is Madeline Booth of Belle Vernon Area Middle School for "The Green Dragon."
First-prize winner of the Ogden Nash Award for light humorous verse (sponsored by Anita Staub) is Samuel Bialon for “Hidden Collection." Second-prize winner is Joshua Wieland for "Groovy Grammar." Third-prize winner is Braden Laux for "Pie." All three winners attend Belle Vernon Area Middle School.
Grades 10-12
In Grades 10-12, the first-prize winner of the Dr. Len Roberts Memorial Award for traditional verse (sponsored by Ruth McDonald) is Hannah Shin of North Allegheny Intermediate High School for "Unmask." Second-prize winner is Matthew McKay of Keystone Oaks High School for “The Cold Bench.” Third-prize winner is Isaac Fullard, also of Keystone Oaks High School, for "Fickle Youth."
Hannah Shin of North Allegheny Intermediate High School has another first-prize win in the Henry Clay and Gladys Maas Pruitt Award for free verse (sponsored by Candace Green) for "Yet He Smiles." Second-prize winner is Angelina Brennsteiner of Albert Gallatin Senior High School for "Green Growth." Third-prize winner is Natalia Sturges of Derry Area High School for “Diamonds."
First-prize winner of the Marie Martin Memorial Award for romantic poetry (sponsored by Phil and Mary Lou Fleming) is Molly Sisitki of Blairsville High School for “Eleven Years." Second-prize winner is Natalia Sturges of Derry Area High School for "Love." No third prize was awarded in this category this year.
McGough Awards: The Best of the Best
The Walter McGough Memorial Award is for the best of the best in each age group. Winners are Sonya Verbina of the Valley School of Ligonier for “The Aztec Animal” (grades 4-6), Amber Brooks of Wendover Middle School for “Empty Shell” (grades 7-9) and Heavenke Lowman of BlairsvilleHigh School for “To Whom It Doesn't Concern ” (grades 10-12).
Two students won two prizes each. Hannah Shin of North Allegheny Intermediate High School won first prize in both the Roberts Award and the Pruitt Award. Natalia Sturges of Derry Area High School won both second prize in the Martin Award and third prize in the Pruitt Award. Special congratulations to Hannah and Natalia.
Five teachers had multiple winners in their classes: Kelly Ankney of Ligonier Valley Middle School, Carol Aten Frow of Belle Vernon Middle School, Meribeth DeBarto of Conemaugh Township Middle School, Nancy Kraemer of Keystone Oaks High School and Andrea DelFavero of Blairsville High School.
2019 STUDENT POETRY CONTEST WINNERS
Local Students Win Poetry Prizes from Ligonier Valley Writers
Front row (L-R): Nina Francia, Isabella Brunetto, Alexandra Monticue, Sienna Lehner, Sarah Ruschak, Ashtyn Guesman, Ksena Spencer, Amber Yezek, Iva Droske, Zoe Robertson, Cassidy Brown Back row (L-R): Kate Cramer, Sonya Demacek, Bridget Doyle, Megan Miller, Faith McDowell, Brennen Novotney
Left to right: Alexandra Monticue, Zoe Robertson, Ksena Spencer, Iva Droske, Cassidy Brown. (Not shown: Xander Meese, Abigail Luscher, Brianna Shetler, Haiden Henry, Madison Thomas. )
Ligonier Valley Writers’ 28th annual Student Poetry Awards ceremony at the Barnes & Noble store in Greensburg.
Front row (L-R): Nina Francia, Isabella Brunetto, Alexandra Monticue, Sienna Lehner, Sarah Ruschak, Ashtyn Guesman, Ksena Spencer, Amber Yezek, Iva Droske, Zoe Robertson, Cassidy Brown Back row (L-R): Kate Cramer, Sonya Demacek, Bridget Doyle, Megan Miller, Faith McDowell, Brennen Novotney
Students from schools throughout western Pennsylvania were honored at Ligonier Valley Writers’ 28th annual Student Poetry Awards ceremony on Saturday, April 27, at the Barnes & Noble store in Greensburg.
The winning students performed their poems aloud to an audience of proud family members, teachers, and others. These talented young writers received ribbons, booklets containing all the winning poems, and cash prizes (which most of them promptly spent on books).
Congratulations to our 2019 Winners!
Grades 4-6
Paul Spence & Kathleen Brittain Poetry Award for Rhymed Verse (Sponsored by Paul S. Brittain)
• First-prize is "Standing Still and Tall" by Alexandra Monticue, Ligonier Valley Middle School
• Second-prize is "Love of the Game" by Xander Meese, Conemaugh Township Middle School
• Third-prize is "The Art" by Abigail Luscher, Conemaugh Township Middle School
Chestnut Ridge Literary Award for Unrhymed Verse (Sponsored by Lou and Barbara Steiner)
• First-prize is "Winter" by Brianna Shetler, Conemaugh Township Middle School
• Second-prize is "The Pain Will be Less" by Ksena Spencer, Greensburg Salem Middle School
• Third-prize is "Glacier" by Haiden Henry, Conemaugh Township Middle School
Hayden Savinda Memorial Award for Haiku (Sponsored by Ronald J. Shafer)
• First-prize is "The Black Flamingo" by Zoe Robertson, Ligonier Valley Middle School
• Second-prize is "Author" by Iva Droske, Ligonier Valley Middle School
• Third-prize is "On a Snow Day" by Madison Thomas, Conemaugh Township Middle School
Grades 7-9
Highview Farm Award for Traditional Verse (Sponsored by Bruce and Sally Shirey)
• First-prize is "Longing to Fly Again" by Isabella Brunetto, Indiana Area Junior High School
• Second-prize is "Resist" by Amber Yezek, Southmoreland Middle School
• Third-prize is "Lunch" by Emma Pruett, Hempfield Area High School
Shirey Poetry Award for Free Verse (Sponsored by Bruce and Sally Shirey)
• First-prize is "Replanted and Redefined" by Emma Galbraith, Southmoreland Middle School
• Second-prize is "Writer's Block" by Sienna Lehner, Belle Vernon Area Middle School
• Third-prize is "The Man in the House" by Nina Francia, Belle Vernon Area Middle School
Ogden Nash Award for Light Humorous Verse (Sponsored by Anita Staub)
• First-prize is "The Bus Ride" by Sarah Ruschak, Belle Vernon Area Middle School
• Second-prize is "My 2018 Vacation" by Evan Pohlot, Belle Vernon Area Middle School
• Third-prize is "Sleuthing for Sunglasses" by Sienna Lehner, Belle Vernon Area Middle School
Grades 10-12
Dr. Len Roberts Memorial Award for Traditional Verse (Sponsored by Ruth McDonald)
• First-prize is "Sincerely, Me" by Faith McDowell, Ligonier Valley High School
• Second-prize is "Writers" by Arwin Elliott, Albert Gallatin Senior High School
• Third-prize is "The Beauty of Life" by Natalia Sturges, Derry Area High School
Jane Robb Gallagher Award for Free Verse (Sponsored by Judith Gallagher)
• First-prize is "Homeless" by Bridget Doyle, Blairsville High School
• Second-prize is "Wave" by Sonya E. Demacek, Blairsville High School
• Third-prize is "Normal" by Faith McDowell, Ligonier Valley High School
Marie Martin Memorial Award for Romantic Poetry (Sponsored by Phil and Mary Lou Fleming)
• First-prize is "A Language of My Own: or Love" by Brennen Novotney, Hempfield High School
• Second-prize is "Him" by Shanna McManus, Albert Gallatin Senior High School
• Third-prize is "The Right Love" by Megan Miller, Derry Area High School
McGough Awards: The Best of the Best
The Walter McGough Memorial Award is for the best of the best in each age group. Winners are Cassidy Brown of Ligonier Valley Middle School for “Cliff” (grades 4-6), Kate Cramer of Southmoreland Middle School for “There Are No Sarahs Here” (grades 7-9) and Ashtyn Guesman of Albert Gallatin Senior High School for “She and a Sunset” (grades 10-12).
Two students won two prizes each. Sienna Lehner won both second prize in the Shirey Award and third prize in the Ogden Nash Award, and Faith McDowell won both first prize in the Dr. Len Roberts Memorial Award and third prize in the Jane Robb Gallagher Award. Faith has won at least one award in the LVW poetry contest every year since 2013. Special congratulations to Faith and Sienna.
Five teachers had multiple winners in their classes. Meribeth DeBarto of Conemaugh Township Middle School is the teacher of Brianna Shetler, Xander Meese, Abigail Luscher, Haiden Henry, and Madison Thomas. Kelly Ankney of Ligonier Valley Middle School is the teacher of Cassidy Brown, Alexandra Monticue, Zoe Robertson, and Iva Droske. Bethany Hutira of Southmoreland Middle School is the teacher of Kate Cramer, Emma Galbraith, and Amber Yezek. April Serock of Albert Gallatin Senior High School is the teacher of Ashtyn Guesman, Arwin Elliott, and Shanna McManus. Andrea DelFavero of Blairsville High School is the teacher of Bridget Doyle and Sonya E. Demacek.
2018 STUDENT POETRY CONTEST WINNERS
Local Students Win Poetry Prizes from Ligonier Valley Writers
Students from schools throughout western Pennsylvania and homeschoolers were honored
at Ligonier Valley Writers’ 27th annual Student Poetry Awards ceremony on Saturday, April 28, 2018, at the Barnes & Noble store in Greensburg.
The winning students performed their poems aloud to an audience of proud family members, teachers, and others. These talented young writers received ribbons, booklets containing all the winning poems, and cash prizes (which most of them promptly spent on books).
Front row, left to right: Jordyn Keller (Wendover Middle School), Kimmy Barnard (Wendover Middle School), William Flow (Derry Area Middle School), Emily Pierce (Greater Latrobe Jr. High School). Back row, left to right: Faith McDowell (Ligonier Valley High School), Rachel Levesque (Blairsville High School), Luke Duffey (Blairsville High School), Natalia Sturges (Derry Area High School).
Congratulations to our 2018 Winners!
Grades 4-6
Chestnut Ridge Literary Award for Unrhymed Verse (Sponsored by Lou and Barbara Steiner)
• First-prize is Adleigh Myers, homeschooled (Grade 4) for "Sweet Sap"
No second or third prize was awarded in this category this year.
Grades 7-9
Highview Farm Award for Traditional Verse (Sponsored by Bruce and Sally Shirey)
• First-prize winner is Kylie Landis, Somerset Area Middle School (Grade 9) for "I'm Going to School Today”
• Second-prize winner is Jordyn Keller, Wendover Middle School (Grade 7) for "Martin"
• Third-prize winner is Natalia Sturges, Derry Area High School (Grade 9) for “My Turn”
Shirey Poetry Award for Free Verse (Sponsored by Bruce and Sally Shirey)
• First-prize winner is Kylie Landis, Somerset Area Middle School (Grade 9) for "In the Wind"
• Second-prize winner is Samantha Reese, of Derry Area Middle School (Grade 7) for "Meadows"
• Third-prize winner is Kimmy Barnard, of Wendover Middle School (Grade 7) for "Nothing"
Ogden Nash Award for Light Humorous Verse (Sponsored by Anita Staub)
• First-prize winner is Natalia Sturges, Derry Area High School (Grade 9) for “English Is Phatt"
• Second-prize winner is William Flow, Derry Area Middle School (Grade 8) for "Drive-In"
• Third-prize winner is Emily Pierce, Greater Latrobe Junior High School (Grade 8) for "Tennis"
Grades 10-12
Dr. Len Roberts Memorial Award for Traditional Verse (Sponsored by Ruth McDonald)
• First-prize winner is Rachel Levesque, Blairsville High School (Grade 11) for "If Time Were a Person"
• Second-prize winner is Faith McDowell, Ligonier Valley High School (Grade 11) for “They Deserve to Know”
No third prize was awarded this year.
Jane Robb Gallagher Award for Free Verse (Sponsored by Judith Gallagher)
• First-prize winner is Shannon Podolski, Blairsville High School (Grade 11) for "Sugarcoated"
• Second-prize winner is Luke Duffey Blairsville High School (Grade 11) for "Praying for Prey"
• Third-prize winner is Faith McDowell, Ligonier Valley High School (Grade 11) for “Who I Want to Be"
Marie Martin Memorial Award for Romantic Poetry (Sponsored by Phil and Mary Lou Fleming)
• First-prize winner is Faith McDowell of Ligonier Valley High School (Grade 11) for “Love Is Strong"