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 5 and 6:
First Prize:
rain feels like needles
falling from cotton candy
into my garden
Adrian Stopka, Age 11, Grade 6
Michael Byrne Elementary, Chicago
2nd Prize:
a leaf is attached
stuck on a great caring twig
the twig almost snaps
Lila Cohen, Age 10, Grade 5
St. Giles School, Oak Park, IL
3rd Prize:
vibrant colors fade
and then shrivel up to dust
the earth takes them back
Grace McGoey, Age 11, Grade 6
St. Josaphat School, Chicago
Gwendolyn Brooks CPS Award:
bare trees line sidewalks
all the birds have disappeared
except for pigeons
Agnes Wei, Age 12, Grade 6
Skinner North Classical School, 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:
along the night sky
the luminescent moon glows
filling up the void
Hailey Feng, Age 11, Grade 6
James Ward Elementary, Chicago
Poem of the School Award:
takes life, gives out pain
pink ribbon and a shaved head
1 year and 12 days
Isabella Flores, Age 12, Grade 6
Josephine Locke Elementary, Chicago
Poem of the School Award:
I can feel the wind
arrow flying in the sky
nothing on my mind
Ruby Leonard, Age 12, Grade 6
Newton Bateman Elementary, Chicago
Poem of the School Award:
the court is ready
I dribble the ball, let’s go
the shot is made: swoosh
Savannah Gagnon, Age 12, Grade 6
Norman Bridge Elementary, Chicago
Poem of the School Award:
bright orange sun heating
popsicle melts in my hand
bees come chasing me
Yalissa Calahorrano, Age 11, Grade 6
St. Celestine School, Chicago
Poem of the School Award:
all the stars align
a silent moment passes
beginning of time
Vesna Azman, Age 10, Grade 5
St. Sylvester School, Chicago
Poem of the School Award:
falling off, then down
meeting brown dirt and green earth
finding peace and Zen
Mitchell Hui, Age 12, Grade 6
St. Therese Chinese 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