Results – Sarah Mook Poetry Contest 2026

Thank you for entering the 22nd annual Sarah Mook Poetry Contest.

Congratulations to all the poets, and special thanks to the teachers, parents, and mentors who support these young writers. Thank you also to our final judges, Mrs. Olwen Jarvis (Kindergarten) and Bianca Amira Zanella (1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12) for the great care they take in choosing the winning poems! All winners are chosen anonymously by the final judges.

Entries came from 24 states as well as India, Korea, and Canada. Winning poems came from eight states (NY, ME, CA, WI, PA, NJ, MD, VA). The Kindergarten (K-only) Awards are sponsored and judged by Sarah's kindergarten teacher Mrs. Olwen Jarvis. Award letters include her comments on each winning poem, a check for the purchase of books for their school libraries, as well as custom book plates which acknowledge each poet’s achievement.

Award letters for all other groups include Judge Zanella’s comments and checks to the poets in the following amounts: First $100, Second $50, Third $25.

K only 1st Prize “The Windy Poem” Luke Hollod, New York

K only 2nd Prize “Apple the Snowman” Ronan Sleith, Maine

K only 3rd Prize A sweet breeze Asher Ako Cane, New York

1-2 1st Prize “Acorn” Cora Tindal, Maine

1-2 2nd Prize “The Crazy Daddy” Remi McLeod, California

1-2 3rd Prize “Two Worlds” Montel Taylor, Wisconsin

3-5 1st Prize “Only One” Zora Bell, New York

3-5 2nd Prize “Grandmother” Agamjot Singh, Pennsylvania

3-5 3rd Prize “Music” Lisa Johnston, New Jersey

6-8 1st Prize “When the Stars have Fled” Evelyn Sun, New York

6-8 2nd Prize “Anything You Want” Saanvi Lanke, Maryland

6-8 3rd Prize “This Exile” Cora Coleman, Maine

9-12 1st Prize “The Quiet Ones” Pavana Thomas, New York

9-12 2nd Prize “Children of the Broken Dream” Jocelyn Isabel Carson, Virginia

9-12 3rd Prize “What the Snow Keeps” Anika Bhat, New York

Thank you also for your donations! A contribution of $450 was made in Sarah’s name to Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to “inspire a love of reading and writing in children.” We are happy to support such a worthy mission, one which aligns so perfectly with the purpose of the Sarah Mook Poetry Contest!

Award letters have been mailed to the winning poets. Thank you for honoring Sarah and her gift of poetry. Take care and have a safe and fun summer!

Sincerely, David Mook and Family