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
Silver lined clouds high
All the chances in the world
Yet she wanted gold
Michelle Yu, Age 12, Grade 6
John Haines Elementary, Chicago
Second Prize: $50
A noisy kitchen
All the family gathered
Being together
Lucy Bruns, Age 12, Grade 6
Avery Coonley School, Downers Grove, IL.
Third Prize: $20
Hear my voice ring out
I am strong, I am female
Our time has arrived
Jordan Marshall, Age 11, Grade 6
Avery Coonley School, Downers Grove, IL.
Founders Award
The grace of my soul
Drifting from reality
Feel my spirit rise
Rashaad Armstrong, Age 11, Grade 6
John Haines Elementary, Chicago
Poem of the School Award
In Puerto Rico
Boricuas dance in the sun
That is where I’m from
Reianna Carmona, Age 12, Grade 6
Josephine Locke Elementary , Chicago
Poem of the School Award
Dear Broken Mirror
You are now broken like me
But glue can’t fix me
Cielo Barrera, Age 11, Grade 6
Newton Bateman Elementary, Chicago
Poem of the School Award
The sun was shining
And a hot breeze hit my face
Winter never came
Lizbeth Sanchez, Age 12, Grade 6
Norman Bridge Elementary, Chicago
Poem of the School Award
I am a Muslim
Why do you judge my hijab?
Treat me like others
Sana Musa, Age 12, Grade 6
Passages Charter School, Chicago
Poem of the School Award
The beauty of space:
Stars shine in inky blackness
Fires with distant warmth
Kieter Kling, Age 11, Grade 5
St. Christina, Chicago
Poem of the School Award
Old dinosaur bones
Relics roaring and roaming
Once living creatures
Ryan Stanek, Age 11, Grade 6
St. Francis Borgia, Chicago
Poem of the School Award
She slides into home
With a fly ball coming fast
And dust in our face
Maddie Stritch, Age 11, Grade 6
St. Francis Xavier, LaGrange, IL.
Poem of the School Award
Strum of the guitar
press of the piano’s keys
distant melodies
Ellie Rademaker, Age 12, Grade 6
St. Monica Academy, Chicago
Poem of the School Award
Spring has come again
Fish leaping through melted water
Flowers in the air
Finn Hogan, Age 11, Grade 5
St. Viator, Chicago
Poem of the School Award
Kinky poffy hair
Natural and beautiful
My crown and my pride
Dymond Samuels, Age 10, Grade 5
Washington Irving Elementary, Chicago
Honorable Mention
In the dark abyss
The celestial planets
Withhold deep secrets.
Yesi Carpintero, Age 12, Grade 6
Minnie Mars Jamieson Elementary , Chicago
Honorable Mention
My hands like to clap
But I don’t let my hands clap
My hands don’t like me
Qiting Mei, Age 12, Grade 6
John Haines Elementary, Chicago
Honorable Mention
Roses are not black
Violets are not red
Love stories are sad
Jacelyn Roman, Age 11, Grade 6
Josephine Locke Elementary, Chicago
Honorable Mention
The door creaks open
Letting me inside the pain
Seeing the dark side.
Kamyra Harrison, Age 11, Grade 6
John Haines Elementary, Chicago
Teacher of the Year:
Ms. Rebecca Grober
John Haines Elementary, Chicago
Teacher of the Year Honorable Mention:
Ms. Mindy Gonzalez
Josephine Locke Elementary, Chicago
Teacher of the Year Honorable Mention:
Ms. Lauren McNeela
Norman Bridge Elementary, Chicago
School of the Year:
Josephine Locke Elementary, Chicago
Ms. Mindy Gonzalez
Ms. Joanne Hernandez
Ms. Sharon Kells
Mr. David Kissane
Ms. Mary Selim
Ms. Kristina Jubera
School of the Year Honorable Mention:
John Haines Elementary, Chicago
Ms. Rebecca Grober
Dr. Bellasanta Ferrer
School of the Year Honorable Mention:
Avondale-Logandale Elementary, Chicago
Ms. Nilsa Lopezlena
Ms. Ramonita Acosta
Ms. Beth Halpin
Ms. Rochelle Katz
School of the Year Honorable Mention:
Norman Bridge Elementary, Chicago
Ms. Lauren McNeela
Ms. Mary Torres