Sarah Mook Poetry Contest Results, 2014
Dear Participants,
Thank you for entering the Sarah Mook Poetry Contest. We were happy to receive so many quality poems. Congratulations to all of you, and keep writing poetry! Congratulations also to the teachers, parents, and mentors who give so generously their time and talents to encourage these young writers. The poet Matthew Arnold said that we "turn to poetry to interpret life, to console us, to sustain us." Yes, poetry is important for those reasons, and so many more. Poetry, for me personally, has been a journey of personal healing and a pathway to communities I would otherwise have never known. Reading your poems reminds me that poetry can connect us with each other, with nature, and perhaps most importantly, with ourselves -- our true selves. So I am truly grateful for you and for your poems.
We are very fortunate to have a judge who holds both you and your poems in such high regard. Judge Kane: "I take my time, for sure, and read each many, many times. I find that reading the poem out loud gives more chance to hear the gifts of sound in the poem." Thank you, Marie Kane, for your extraordinary consideration of all the finalist's poems, and for recognizing the unique gifts in each poem. It is a good reminder that poetry is meant to be read "out loud," whether by the poet while composing the poem, or later by a reader as a way to fully experience and enjoy the poem's gifts.
Award letters to the winners will include judge Kane’s detailed comments on your winning poems. First Place winners will receive a cash prize of $100, Second Place $50, Third Place $25.
K-2 1st: "Cartwheeling Leaves" Layna Transue, Pipersville, PA
K-2 2nd: "Splash, splash, splash!" Eli Mergott, Pipersville, PA
K-2 3rd: "A Majestic Moment" Josie Jorgensen, Sarasota, FL
3-5 1st: "Hidden" Lila Hasenstab, Brooklyn, NY
3-5 2nd: "I Leave On My Own" Samantha Harris, Philadelphia, PA
3-5 3rd: "I Wear the Indigo Lion" Kate Terbush, Encino, CA
6-8 1st: "Every Morning" (p2) Megan Morrison, Dover, NH
6-8 2nd: "The Golden Route" Sophia Stafford, Alna, ME
6-8 3rd: "Maybe" Grace Roy, Dover, NH
9-12 1st: "Dear Faith" Chastity Hale, Miami Beach, FL
9-12 2nd: "Standing on the Deck as an Orator" Christell Roach, Miami, FL
9-12 3rd: "Stung Cochlear" Sade Coffman, Oak Park, IL
Thanks to the generosity of those who sent donations, a contribution of $405 was made in Sarah’s name to Smile Train, a charity that provides free cleft surgery for millions of poor children in developing countries.
Thank you all for helping to honor Sarah and her gift of poetry.
Sincerely,
David Mook and Family
davidmook@aol.com
