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 7 and 8:
First Prize: $100
playing on the slide
her smile showed pure ecstasy
but her eyes did not
Quiyu Ruan, Age 13, Grade 7
John Haines Elementary, Chicago
Second Prize: $50
toasty marshmallows
touch the burnt embers of fire
gold bliss on my tongue
Harper Horn, Age 13, Grade 8
Near North Montessori, 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