Student Poets Are Invited to Enter LVW's 36th Annual Poetry Contest

 

LVW’s Student Poetry Contest is open to all students in grades 4-12 throughout southwestern Pennsylvania. The contest is celebrating its 34th anniversary. In each of nine categories, first prize earns $25, second prize $20, and third prize $15. For the best of the best in each grade group, the Naccarato Award, each of the three winners will receive $30. This means there are 30 cash prizes—and no entry fees.

 

Due to popular demand, we will now be accepting entries via online forms, which we hope will make life easier for teachers, students, and contest coordinators. You’ll find the entry form here. Teachers you may want to send LVW’s site to your IT department to make sure it’s whitelisted.​

 

Please email jgallagher@LHTOT.com with either positive or negative comments or suggestions. LVW would like to thank teacher Kelly Ankney and technology integration coordinator Adam Storey of Ligonier Valley School District for helping to set up the new submission system. Please pass the link onto any students, parents, or teachers you think might be interested. Homeschoolers are welcome. The contest rules are attached.

 

The deadline is March 11, 2026​

 

If you're a kid who likes to write, try writing a poem every day for the next week.

Then pick the one you like best to revise and submit. To jumpstart your creativity, here are a few prompts. Write a poem about:

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* any strong emotion

* an animal you love

* a place you hate

* your favorite athlete or sport