Sarah Mook Poetry Contest

Sarah Mook Poetry Contest Results, 2015 

Dear Participants, 

Thank you for entering the Sarah Mook Poetry Contest. It is my privilege to read all of your poems before passing the finalists along to judge Marie Kane. When judging, Mrs. Kane has no idea who wrote the poems or where they came from. We had entries from all across the country with finalists from about a dozen states, and winning poems from five states. Florida and Maine swept the lower grades. Illinois and New Jersey dominated the upper grades, with Connecticut also represented among the winners. Congratulations to all who entered your poems! Congratulations also to the teachers, parents, and mentors who encourage these young writers. The winning poems and poets are listed below followed by some insights from Marie Kane about the judging process. We are very fortunate to have a judge who gives such careful attention and consideration to every poem! 

K-2 First: "The Dog"  Zoe Harrell, Sarasota, FL 

Judge's Comments-"The Dog"

K-2 Second: "Treehouse Secrets" Ava Marie Wasilewski, Sarasota, FL

Judge's Comments-"Treehouse Secrets"

K-2 Third: "Dance Girls" Anna Fraley, Sarasota, FL

Judge's Comments-"Dance Girls"

3-5 First: "Perfection" Zephaniah Lowrie, Anla, ME

Judge's Comments p1, p2-"Perfection"

3-5 Second: "Growing Older" Anna Kelly, Bremen, ME 

Judge's Comments p1, p2-"Growing Older"

3-5 Third: "Birds and a Winter Morning" Marcus Russano, Jefforson, ME

Judge's Comments p1, p2-"Birds and a Winter Morning"

6-8 First: "Why I Will Never Get a Desk Job: A Treatise" Camden Archambeau, Weston, CT

Judge's Comments p1, p2-"Why I will never get a Desk Job"

6-8 Second: "Paper" Marie Claire Owens, Portland, ME 

Judge's Comments p1, p2-"Paper"

6-8 Third "Almost Spring"  Katherine Antos, Plainsboro, NJ

Judge's Comments p1, p2-"Almost Spring"

9-12 First: "Chicago Rhythm" (page 2) Ted Loewenthal, Oak Park, IL

9-12 Second: "News" Aleah Gatto, Allendale, NJ

9-12 Third: "Trees" Marlena Wadley, Oak Park, IL

"This is my seventh year as the final judge of the Sarah Mook Poetry Contest. Every year I eagerly anticipate reading the poems to gauge how the future of modern poetry is faring. Again, I am not disappointed; the selections confirm that the future of poetry rests in very capable hands. The ten finalists in all age groups display talent by using surprising and exact diction, by adept handling of contemporary issues, and through original sensory details. I receive ten poems from David Mook for each age group; it is always difficult to choose the top three. After reading and rereading the selections--noting surprising and imaginative imagery, strong voice, mature completion of the poem, adept use of poetic conventions, and lack of revision suggestions needed--then reading them out loud, I choose the top three. While there are specific winners in this contest, all poets are to be commended. Congratulations to all the entrants, and special recognition to the winners of this competitive poetry challenge." Marie Kane  

Thank you for your donations! A contribution of $476 was made in Sarah’s name to Smile Train, a charity that provides free cleft surgery for millions of poor children in developing countries. 

Award letters will go out to the winning poets very soon.Winning poems will be published on the website: SarahMookPoetryContest.com in a few weeks.  So please check the site later this summer. Thank you for helping to honor Sarah and her gift of poetry. Have a safe and happy summer!

Sincerely,

David Mook and Family

davidmook@aol.com