Haiku Fest awarded certificates to all participating student poets. Thanks to over 1,200 poets, parents and teachers for making Haiku Fest successful. For more information on the event, click here.

We proudly announce the following commendations:

First Prize: $100

“Fog”
The fog surrounds me
When suddenly lightning strikes
Clearing up the world

Caroline Montag, Age 12, Grade 7
University of Chicago Lab School


Second Prize: $50

“Fireworks”
Loud soaring banging
Smokey lights with excitement
Old night but New Year

Annalyn Mendoza, Age 13, Grade 8
St. Benedict Elementary, Chicago


Third Prize: $25

“Broken vase”
Kaboom crash and bang
There’s yelling screaming barking
Apologizing.

Zach Kogut, Age 11, Grade 6
St. Viator, Chicago


Founders Award: $20

“Untitled”
As the sun goes down
Darkness covers winter’s sky
Until dawn breaks loose

Ramon Ruiz, Age 12, Grade 7
St. Agnes of Bohemia, Chicago


Honorable Mention:

“Untitled”
Passive Bystander
Disengaged Don’t care at all
A crime far worse? No

Mary Greta Behnke, Age 14, Grade 8
University of Chicago Lab School


Honorable Mention:

“Untitled”
What a way to go
Crushed in a garbage compact
Poor old Jimmy-boy

Dylan Lambert-Gilliam, Age 14, Grade 8
University of Chicago Lab School

Honorable Mention:

”Untitled”
the bird that does fly
yes it flies above the storm
oh look the eagle!

Cara Harris, Age 12, Grade 7
Keller Magnet School, Chicago


Honorable Mention:

“Changing Night to Morning”
A sliver of light
Journeying through the night time
Speaks of the morning

Nisha Riley, Age 11, Grade 5
High Point School, Orland Park, IL


Honorable Mention:

“Whispers”
Small whispers of spring
trees glowing around a lake
the cool breeze distant

Kathryn Skrundz, Age 14, Grade 8
St. Benedict Elementary, Chicago


Honorable Mention:

“Love”
What is love about
Am I in love with someone
first love is crazy

Ciara Taylor, Age 12, Grade 6
William Ryder, Chicago


Honorable Mention:

“Midnight Surprise”
At night feeling her
I sense her touch it feels great
Turns out she’s a man

Benny Wah, Age 13, Grade 8
University of Chicago Lab School


Honorable Mention:

“Rebirth”
Winter is no more!
New life fresh hope joy and love
Now the earth is green

Nathan Gillespie, Age 10, Grade 4
St. Matthias Transfiguration, Chicago


Honorable Mention:

“The Mind”
The mind is a gift
Imagination is too
Only when believed

Adam Gray, Age 14, Grade 8
University of Chicago Lab School

Honorable Mention:

“Fighting in the War”
Killing the soldiers
Sensing I am in danger
Boom! Boom! Boom! I’m dead

Demetrius Jones, Age 14, Grade 8
Arnold Mireles Academy, Chicago


Honorable Mention:

“Winter Earrings”
Icicles hanging
The earrings that winter wears
Sparkling in the sun

Fallon K., Age 9, Grade 4
St. Mary of the Woods, Chicago


Honorable Mention:

“Unconditional”
Sweet as the bird’s song
As strong as the lion’s roar
Beats the mother’s heart

Maurice Nichols, Age 14, Grade 8
Arnold Mireles Academy, Chicago


Honorable Mention:

“The Horse”
Hooves fly over ground.
Nostrils flare to drink the wind.
This is the bold horse.

Courtney Payne, Age 10, Grade 5
Payne Learning Academy, Crete, IL


Honorable Mention:

“The Tango”
Flares and then fire
The quick movements side to side
The rose hits the ground

Andrea Santiago, Age 13, Grade 7
St. Benedict Elementary, Chicago


Honorable Mention:

“Untitled”
A blank empty page
The scratching of a pencil
Sound of loneliness

Catherine Yunis, Age 13, Grade 8
University of Chicago Lab School