Sarah Mook Poetry Contest

Sarah Mook Poetry Contest Results, 2019

Thank you for entering the Sarah Mook Poetry Contest. We had winners from all around the country: Maine to Florida, New Jersey to California! Congratulations to all the poets, and thanks to the teachers, parents, and mentors who support these young writers.

Each winning poet receives a cash award: First $100, Second $50, and Third $25.

K-2 First: "My Quiet Place" Alice Nouri, Sarasota, FL                              Judge's Comments

K-2 Second: "Sadness" Khloe Tankersley, Sarasota, FL                           Judge's Comments

K-2 Third "Where I’m From" Olivia Pierce, Sarasota, FL                         Judge's Comments

3-5 First: "Wild Fire (P1 P2)" Amelie Flagler, Fuquay Varina, NC         Judge's Comments

3-5 Second: "Qin Fen and Ke Ku (P1 P2)" Angelina Tao, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA                                                                                          Judge's Comments     

3-5 Third: "The Big Messes" Deborah Joy Slack, Darlington, MD         Judge's Comments  

6-8 First: "Sacrifice (P1 P2)" Sabrina Guo, Syosset, NY                             Judge's Comments P1 P2 P3                 

6-8 Second: "Denial: A Sestina" Ian VonFrank, Edgecomb, ME 

Judge's Comments P1 P2 P3     

6-8 Third: "Surreal Notion" Liam Allen, Edgecomb, ME  

Judge's Comments P1 P2    

9-12 First: "A Kisaeng’s Sijo (P1 P2)" Hye In Lee, Hackensack, NJ        9-12 Second: "Foreign Tongues" Ashley Kim, Hackensack, NJ       

9-12 Third "Naming Day" Taylor Bechtel, Allendale, NJ                  

A note from Marie Kane: "It’s difficult to believe that this is my twelfth year judging the prestigious Sarah Mook poetry contest. I’m privileged to participate in this contest that celebrates young poets nationwide. The final judging process is both intense and gratifying. I receive ten finalists (all anonymous) in the four age groups. I read, reread, read aloud until I have an idea of the finalists; it is not a quick, or easy, process. The poems are startling for their maturity, admirable for their poetic qualities, and many times, brave in their subject matter. Congratulations to all forty students whose poems I had the pleasure to read. I am proud that poetry has become one way that young people express themselves, especially young people who write poetry so well. I was especially struck by the many students who wrote about the world outside themselves. It is gratifying to find young poets who explore topics such as the state of the world, oppression, prejudice, and religion. Also, I appreciate that many of these poems concern varying cultures. These young people are paying attention! Thank you to the students who submitted their poems to the 2019 contest.  I’m honored to have read your work."

Sarah's kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Olwen Jarvis, came up with the idea of a prize especially for kindergarteners to earn cash awards for the purchase of books for their school libraries.

A note from Mrs. Jarvis: "It was a challenge to make the final choices..so much creativity from these young students! I try to visualize each writer as I read... and re read. I truly enjoy them all."

First: "Black is a Beautiful Color" Henrietta Hamilton, Brooklyn, NY   ($100)                                                                                          

Second: "birds and lightning" Endless Rower, Brooklyn, NY   ($50)                                                                                                                                                            Third:  Third "Building a Fairy House" Zella Morgan, Edgecomb, ME  ($25)   

 Judge's Comments (All three poems).                                                                                                                                              

Thank you also for your donations! A contribution of $330 was made in Sarah’s name to Save the Children Fund, which provides services to struggling children throughout the world.

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. Check the website 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