Haiku Fest awarded certificates to all participating student poets. Thanks to over 1,800 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
My golden pencil
Paints gleaming silver rivers
Its pink hat dances
Louie Harboe, Age 13, Grade 7
University of Chicago Lab School
Second Prize: $50
I gaze at the stars
I pluck them out one by one
Dreams in my pocket
Catherine Adams, Age 14, Grade 8
University of Chicago Lab School
Third Prize: $25
red, small, and spotted
crawling on my fingertips
small legs tickle me
Elizabeth “Libby” Paulson, Age 10, Grade 4
High Point, Orland Park, IL
Founders Award: $20
Filled with loneliness
In a heart-shaped box, it’s dark
Waiting to see light
Adrian Ramos, Age 13, Grade 8
St. Agnes of Bohemia, Chicago
Honorable Mention:
The stench of the lake
The tiny yellow swimmers
Feathers soft like fur
Arianna Vazquez, Age 11, Grade 5
St. Benedict, Chicago
Honorable Mention:
Floating slowly up
The poor balloon sails away
Kidnapped by the wind
Mary Joan Evans, Age 14, Grade 8
St. Cajetan, Chicago
Honorable Mention:
I praise God in song
Singing God’s song gives me joy!
I praise God in words
Dionesha Bailey, Age 10, Grade 4
St. John de la Salle, Chicago
Honorable Mention:
In a poppy bun
The dog sits with everything
Of course, no ketchup!
Max Hornung, Age 14, Grade 8
University of Chicago Lab School
Honorable Mention:
Don’t name me—I’m me
Smart crazy funny just me
I’m free no name please
Kayla Haywood, Age 13, Grade 8
St. Ethelreda, Chicago
Honorable Mention:
A clean, white canvas
The snow is untouched, waiting
Calling me outside.
Stephanie Simon, Age 13, Grade 8
St. Christina, Chicago
Honorable Mention:
Stars guide through the night
Stories behind their patterns
Distant sun’s shimmer
Katherine Kezon, Age 14, Grade 8
St. Christina, Chicago
Honorable Mention:
Where did my dreams go?
There they are, in the corner
Behind my nightmare
Alexa Green, Age 14, Grade 8
University of Chicago Lab School
Honorable Mention:
Long-term assignments
Due date seems so far away!
I’ll do it later
Michael Myerecyk, Age 13, Grade 8
St. Daniel the Prophet, Chicago
Honorable Mention:
How to find courage
No one knows where it comes from
But it’s in us all
Alexis Lopez, Age 13, Grade 8
St. Daniel the Prophet, Chicago