Haiku Fest will award certificates to all participating student poets. Thanks to over 2,400 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

A garden of lies
Blooming and twisting in gloom
Locking out the light

Julia Hedges, Age 13, Grade 7
University of Chicago Lab School


Second Prize: $50

A small blade of grass,
Stands tall, but bows to the wind.
Insignificance.

Alina Cui, Age 12, Grade 7
University of Chicago Lab School


Third Prize: $25

A gleaming needle
Swiftly stitches a sweater
A drop of crimson

Julia Martinez, Age 13, Grade 8
University of Chicago Lab School


Gwendolyn Brooks Award: $25

Sweet Baby Sister
Little Toes, Brown Cheeks of Rose
Bright Eyes Make Me Smile!

Brittany Alexander, Age 9, Grade 4
John Whistler Elementary, Chicago


Founders Award: $20

The last song to you,
After you broke my soft heart,
Love notes are burning.

Grace Kubelka, Age 12, Grade 6
St. Daniel the Prophet, Chicago


Founders Award: $20

Umbra, Penumbra
Shadows of the Earth and Moon
Pretty Eclipses

Joseph F. Quinn IV, Age 13, Grade 8
St. Christina, Chicago

Honorable Mention:

Spinning monsters dance
On my bedroom wall, twirling
Till the light turns on

Josephine Cahill, Age 13, Grade 8
University of Chicago Lab School


Honorable Mention:

Youth in Rebellion
The Government is corrupt
Daughter named facebook

Liam Conlon, Age 13, Grade 8
University of Chicago Lab School


Honorable Mention:

The bike was bright red.
It glimmered in the sunlight.
That was a great day!

Lukas Haynes, Age 12, Grade 7
St. Robert Bellarmine, Chicago


Honorable Mention:

Running like the wind
You are about to give up
The trophy needs you

Luke Labuz, Age 12, Grade 6
St. Cornelius, Chicago


Honorable Mention:

Looking around you
Green clouds, red water, or’nge sky
I am colorblind.

Sylvie Manuel, Age 14, Grade 8
University of Chicago Lab School


Honorable Mention:

Sanity escapes,
The minds of broken Dreamers.
Restrained forever

Maria Elena Ruiz, Age 13, Grade 8
St. Agnes of Bohemia, Chicago

Honorable Mention:

Running on clear snow
White wolf moves like silent rain
River starts flowing once more

Alexandra Suarez, Age 10, Grade 4
St. Daniel the Prophet, Chicago


Honorable Mention:

It lights up the night
Sends soft shivers down my spine
Electrifies the air

Audrey Volk, Age 12, Grade 6
St. Daniel the Prophet, Chicago


Teacher of the Year:

Ms. Joann Serafin
St. Daniel the Prophet, Chicago


Honorable Mention for Teacher of the Year:

Ms. Joan Baley
St. Christina, Chicago

Ms. Diane Husar
John L. Marsh Elementary, Chicago

Ms. Genaye Parodi
Richard Yates Elementary, Chicago


School of the Year:

St. Daniel the Prophet, Chicago
Ms. Joann Serafin, Ms. Ficaro


Honorable Mention for School of the Year:

University of Chicago Lab School
Ms. Staci Garner, Ms. Jan Yourist,
Ms. Lisa Miller, Ms. Peggy Doyle
Ms. Charlotte Jacobs, Mr. Sam Nekrosius,
Ms. Diane Jackson, Ms. Kathleen Bressler

St. Christina, Chicago
Ms. Joan Baley

Richard Yates Elementary, Chicago
Ms. Genaye Parodi