Thanks to over 1,000 poets, schools, and judges for sharing in our 17th Annual Haiku Festival workshops, readings, and events. Haiku Fest celebrates children through poetry and the arts, while promoting literacy.

Haiku Festival awards certificates to all participating student poets. Winning entries are listed below.

 

We proudly announce the following commendations for participants in grades 3 and 4:

First Prize: $100

the horse of white snow
gallops straight across the sky
shaking her white tail

Jane Wiltrout, Age 10, Grade 4
St. Josephat, Chicago

 

Second Prize: $50

berets surround me
nights in Paris are magic
I feel like a queen

Lydia Hayne, Age 9, Grade 4
St. Josephat, Chicago

 

Founders Award:

lily pads dancing
frogs are singing melodies
the water ballet

Julia Rodriguez, Age 9, Grade 4
Eliza Chappell Elementary, Chicago

 

Haiku Festival Program Cover Art
Notan Design by:

Alyssa Clark, Age 13, Grade 7
Cynthia Solomon, Fine Arts Teacher
Alex Haley Academy, Chicago

Teachers of the Year:

Ms. Rebecca Grober
John Haines Elementary, Chicago

Ms. Courtney Wilwers
St. Monica Academy, Chicago

 

Schools of the Year:

Josephine Locke Elementary, Chicago

Ms. Mindy Gonzalez
Ms. Joanne Lindley-Hernandez
Ms. Jennifer Salen
Ms. Jessica Maldonado
Mr. Jack Devitt

John Haines Elementary, Chicago

Ms. Rebecca Grober
Ms. Michelle Wright
Ms. Anne Agostinelli