Thanks to over 1,500 poets, teachers, schools, and judges for sharing in the 20th 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:

bristles and strokes move
varying hues light and dark
it’s a masterpiece

Henrik Malloy, Age 9, Grade 4
Eliza Chappell Elementary, Chicago

 

2nd Prize:

spring flowers blossom
glorious aromas fly
oh, the lovely spring

Margaret Augustine, Age 10, Grade 4
St. Symphorosa School, Chicago

 

3rd Prize:

I smell lavender
I hear birds chirping sweetly
spring has started now

Sofia Fastishevskaya, Age 9, Grade 4
St. Josaphat School, Chicago

 

Poem of the School Award:

in the savannah
a rambunctious elephant
uh oh it’s charging

Dean Siddiqui, Age 10, Grade 4
Avery Coonley School, Downers Grove, IL

 

Poem of the School Award:

hits my windowpane
music to my broken ears
rocking me to sleep

Jane Polo, Age 10, Grade 4
Christ the King School, Chicago

 

Poem of the School Award:

summertime is here
we get ice cream everyday
seaweed in oceans

Amelia Tryksza, Age 9, Grade 4
St. Emily School, Chicago

 

Poem of the School Award:

as the wolves run through
and the birds started to chirp
the rain starts to pour

Mauris Harris, Age 10, Grade 4
Visitation Catholic School, 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
Mr. Jack Devitt
Mr. David Kissane
Mr. Jeff Putnam
Ms. Sonia Solla