Thanks to over 1,200 poets, teachers, schools, and judges for sharing in the 18th 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
Ash and lava flow
Like a hurricane of heat
And the world turned black
Jenna Jalon, Age 10, Grade 4
St. Josephat, Chicago
Runner-up: $20
Someone who has goals
Someone who fights for rights, strong
Hero with no cape
Nina Saratovsky, Age 9, Grade 4
University of Chicago Lab School
Runner-up: $20
Zapping cross the sky
Zigzags cutting through the clouds
An electric blaze
Liam Gustafson, Age 8, Grade 3
Eliza Chappell Elementary
CPS Gwendolyn Brooks Award: $50
The terracotta
standing, guarding the old king
fighting off bad luck
Abigail Lazzara, Age 10, Grade 4
Thomas J. Waters Elementary, Chicago
Egnor Family Teacher of the Year:
Ms. Diana Zurawski
Galileo Scholastic Academy, Chicago
Lyvers Family School of the Year:
Josephine Locke Elementary, Chicago
Ms. Mindy Gonzalez
Ms. Joanne Lindley-Hernandez
Ms. Lourdes Ocasio
Mr. Jack Devitt
Mr. Jeff Putnam
Mr. Ray Turner