STUDENT POETRY CONTEST 2023

LVW’s Student Poetry Contest is open to all students in grades 4-12 throughout southwestern Pennsylvania. The contest is celebrating its 32nd 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 (sponsored by longtime LVW member Michele Jones), each of the three winners will receive $30. This means there are 30 cash prizes—and no entry fees. 

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Please note that we’re accepting (in fact, requiring) submissions via email this year. We expect this change will save students and teachers both hassles and postage costs. It will also make it much easier for the judges to read and confer about all the submissions. 

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Feel free to forward the rules and entry form to any students, parents, or teachers you know. You can download them here.

THE DEADLINE IS MARCH 17​

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You can read previous years’ winning poems here. 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

• Any strong emotion 

• A place you either love or hate

• Your favorite athlete or sport

• A pet or wild animal

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Help us celebrate the next generation of creativity in our region by supporting these talented young people. If you are a teacher or you know any teachers, please tell them about this contest to give more students the opportunity to experience the joy of creating and winning prizes with their poems.

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