2021 Poetry Contest Wrap-up and Winners

In celebration of National Poetry Month, we hosted our 12th annual poetry contest. We received over 150 poems from poets of all ages.

Winners were selected by professional local poets who served as contest judges. Nancy Heggem donated prizes for the award named in her honor. Nonresident awards were selected by poets Kate Hutchinson and Terry Loncaric. 

Winners of the Nancy J. Heggem Awards received a certificate and $25 cash prize. Winners of the Write On! Awards received a certificate and $25 Barnes and Noble gift card. Prizes were announced at an open mic hosted via Zoom on Saturday, April 24.

2021 Nancy J. Heggem Awards
Adult--Winner: “At the Soul Factory” by Lynda Appino 
Adult—Honorable Mention: “Where Do the Dandelion Seeds Go” by Deborah Di Verde 
Teen—Winner: “They Told Me My Name Was” by Hannah Labonar 
Teen—Honorable Mention: “Towards the North Star” by Debdutta Mandal 
Youth (Upper Elementary)—Winner: “What is a Poem” by Gabe Lee 
Youth (Upper Elementary)—Honorable Mention: “United” by Caleb Medina 
Youth (Lower Elementary)—Winner: “Seasons” by Sophia Lee 
Youth (Lower Elementary)—Honorable Mention: “Familia" (Acrostic) by Danna Rodriguez 

2021 Write On! Poetry Awards
Adult/Teen—Winner: “Copenhagen” by Toni Diol 
Adult/Teen—Honorable Mention: “Conduct Becoming an Officer” by Nancy Claassen 
Youth—Winner: “A Howl” by Alisha Kuehner