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 7 and 8:
First Prize: $100
Old graffitied notes
Fill the bricks with cries for help
The wall crumbles down
Fermi Boonstra, Age 13, Grade 8
University of Chicago Lab School
Second Prize: $50
I sit out and stare
the wind whistles through my hair
tingles on my cheeks
Sofia Niedaszkowski, Age 13, Grade 7
University of Chicago Lab School
Third Prize: $20
Little raindrop sits
Upon a leaf, reflecting
The vast azure sky
Sasha Watson, Age 13, Grade 7
University of Chicago Lab School
Gwendolyn Brooks Award
I visit a friend
he’s surrounded by others
and six feet under
Irmani Johnson, Age 12, Grade 7
Amelia Earhart Elementary, Chicago
Poem of the School Award
The alligator
Glides through the swampy waters
waiting for dinner.
Andre Jones, Age 13, Grade 7
Alex Haley Academy, Chicago
Poem of the School Award
All of it is art.
The weird smile, your undone hair,
Appreciate it.
Gael Granados, Age 14, Grade 8
Galileo Scholastic Academy, Chicago
Poem of the School Award
Nestled in her heart
The shadows hugging tightly
When no one else would
Isabella Figueroa, Age 12, Grade 7
Near North Montessori School, Chicago
Poem of the School Award
See the silent lawn
Green grass rolling in tiny waves
Beaks descend on stalks
Levyn Mathew, Age 13, Grade 7
Plum Grove Junior High, Rolling Meadows, IL.
Poem of the School Award
Ocean glittering
Time of beauty not yet nigh
Come dance with the waves
Waverly Adams, Age 12, Grade 7
Pope John XXIII School, Chicago
Poem of the School Award
One world, all people
One religion, one bad crime
Respect life, stop this
Tim Witchger, Age 13, Grade 7
Queen of Angels, Chicago
Poem of the School Award
Red and yellow leaves
Autumn is a wet paint brush
Splashing bright colors
Lidia Gebreyes, Age 13, Grade 7
St. Thomas of Canterbury, Chicago
Honorable Mention
Wish upon a star
No, not that one-it’s broken
Believe me… I’ve tried
Emma Ciesla, Age 13, Grade 7
University of Chicago Lab School
Honorable Mention
As pain grows inside
as skies break down with thunder
howling winds roar loud
Katelin Brock, Age 13, Grade 7
Amelia Earhart Elementary, Chicago
Honorable Mention
Salty summer tears
The taste of watermelon
Tan line diary
Roxane Bushofsky, Age 13, Grade 8
Near North Montessori School, Chicago
Honorable Mention
Mystery writer
A sudden quirk breaks his slump
Ideas in mind
Danielle Toren , Age 14, Grade 8
St. Francis Borgia, 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