Haiku Fest awarded certificates to all participating student poets. Thanks to over 2,000 poets, parents and teachers for making Haiku Fest successful. Winning entries are listed below.
We proudly announce the following commendations for participants in grades 5 and 6:
First Prize: $100
When I cry I’m trapped
My throat eats away my heart.
I am burnt inside
Olivia Adams, Age 11, Grade 5
University of Chicago Lab School
Second Prize: $50
The waves embrace you
Shake your heart like a blender
Welcome to tides’ world!
Ting Ting Chen, Age 12, Grade 6
John Haines Elementary, Chicago
Third Prize: $20
In the alleyways
Beautified vandalism
Fills walls with color
Victoria Falkowski, Age 12, Grade 6
St. Francis Borgia, Chicago
Gwendolyn Brooks CPS Award
the angry wolf lurks
its teeth shiny like diamonds
yelling at the moon
Adan Vazquez, Age 11, Grade 6
John Haines Elementary, Chicago
Gwendolyn Brooks CPS Award
my cat purrs in glee
he vibrates like earthquakes do
hibernates like bears
Jessenia Diaz, Age 12, Grade 6
Josephine Locke Elementary, Chicago
Founders Award
Stuck in the blizzard
The bitter fright of worry
As the daylight fades.
Yusouf Hakim, Age 11, Grade 5
Avery Coonley School, Downers Grove, IL
Poem of the School Award
Spring is wonderful
It gives me good vibes inside
The cool breeze outside
Victoria Taylor, Age 12, Grade 6
Alex Haley Academy, Chicago
Poem of the School Award
I feel like a cloud
the wind pushes me around
but I stay quiet
Gabriella Aviles, Age 12, Grade 6
Norman Bridge Elementary, Chicago
Poem of the School Award
Look at your hand prints
Lines, wrinkles, identity
Telling who you are
Lilly McCarthy, Age 11, Grade 6
Queen of Angels, Chicago
Poem of the School Award
daffodils, tulips,
colors, swaying in the wind,
the beauty of spring
Angeleo Alonzo, Age 10, Grade 5
St. Barbara, Chicago
Poem of the School Award
sea shells in the sand
gentle waves touching the shore
crystal clear water
Claire Cotter, Age 10, Grade 5
St. Christina, Chicago
Poem of the School Award
Warm flowers blooming
beach colorful sunny bugs
spring break warm squirrels
Mariana Diaz, Age 10, Grade 5
St. Gerald, Chicago
Honorable Mention
A luminous lake
A deluge of bright ripples
Copious frogs croak
Lucy Bruns, Age 11, Grade 5
Avery Coonley School, Downers Grove, IL
Honorable Mention
A page a canvas
Every sentence a paint stroke
A jewel of words
Mackenzie Fodrey, Age 11, Grade 5
Avery Coonley School, Downers Grove, IL
Honorable Mention
Branches like a blade
Swinging high, touching the sky
Soon it will all die
Jackie Liu, Age 12, Grade 6
John Haines Elementary, Chicago
Honorable Mention
The birds flew around,
Flower petals fluttered and
Rabbits hunting food
Jennifer P. Mei, Age 11, Grade 6
John Haines Elementary, Chicago
Honorable Mention
Beautiful flowers,
Stand like relics in the field
All hearts filled with joy
Angelica Podstawska, Age 12, Grade 6
St. Francis Borgia, Chicago
Teacher of the Year:
Ms. Rebecca Grober
John Haines Elementary, Chicago
Teacher of the Year Honorable Mention:
Ms. Nilsa Lopezlena
Avondale-Logandale Elementary, Chicago
Teacher of the Year Honorable Mention:
Ms. Mindy Gonzalez
Josephine Locke Elementary, Chicago
School of the Year:
Josephine Locke Elementary, Chicago
Ms. Mindy Gonzalez
Ms. Kristina Jubera
Ms. Joann Hernandez
School of the Year Honorable Mention:
John Haines Elementary, Chicago
Ms. Rebecca Grober
Ms. Angela Twillie
Dr. Bellasanta Ferrer
Ms. Anna Khawam
Ms. Becky Yau
Ms. Yi Li Ruan
School of the Year Honorable Mention:
University of Chicago Lab School
Ms. Staci Garner
Ms. Lisa Miller
Ms. Peggy Doyle
Ms. Lisa Sukenic
Mr. Joseph Drogos
Mr. Sam Nekrosius
Ms. Deborah Davis
Mr. Mark Krewatch
Ms. Stephanie Mitzenmacher