Thanks to over 1,100 poets, teachers, schools, and judges for sharing in the 19th 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 5 and 6:
First Prize:
Long walks by the dock
The cold salt air clears my lungs
The sun breaking through
Natalie Garcia, Age 12, Grade 6
Josephine Locke Elementary, Chicago
2nd Prize:
I’m significant!
Shouts the tiny speck of dust.
I am valuable.
Lincoln Sickinger, Age 11, Grade 5
Avery Coonley School
Downers Grove, IL
3rd Prize:
The rain pours down quick
In the river the swans bow
As the cranes stand tall.
Julian Morgan, Age 11, Grade 6
Thomas J Waters Elementary, Chicago
Gwendolyn Brooks Award:
one good photograph
comes to those who dare to take
a thousand bad ones
Christian Martinez, Age 12, Grade 6
Josephine Locke Elementary, Chicago
Honorable Mention:
Kickoff, run, pass, shoot
Score a goal then celebrate
Yes, we won the game
Emmanuel Flores, Age 11, Grade 6
Josephine Locke Elementary, Chicago
Honorable Mention:
As I see the sun.
Super bright in my brown eyes.
It hurts me so bad.
Isai Ortega, Age 12, Grade 6
Josephine Locke Elementary, Chicago
Honorable Mention:
I flow through rivers
Parts of me slowly falling
Life drifting away.
Alexandra (Sasha) Pugh, Age 11, Grade 6
Thomas J Waters Elementary, Chicago
Teacher of the Year Award:
Ms. Diana Zurawski
Galileo Scholastic Academy, Chicago
School of the Year Award:
Josephine Locke Elementary, Chicago
Ms. Mindy Gonzalez
Ms. Joanne Lindley-Hernandez
Ms. Jose Jaramillo
Mr. Jeff Putnam