Thanks to over with 1,700 poets, 44 essayists, 21 artists, and 64 teachers from 36 schools for sharing in the 21st 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:
my line submerges
my fishing pole leans forward
splash a bass rises!
Dominic Torres, Age 11, Grade 6
Michael Byrne Elementary, Chicago
2nd Prize:
put the guns down please
we want to play outside now
I’m tired of hiding
Christopher Haywood, Age 12, Grade 6
Charles E Hughes Elementary, Oak Park, IL
3rd Prize:
whispers in the breeze
hearts entwined like autumn leaves
soft as moonlight glow
Alexis Andrade, Age 11, Grade 5
St. Pius V School, Chicago
Poem of the School Award:
bugs light up the sky
hear my mother call me in
good night summer night
Jane Polo, Age 10, Grade 4
Christ the King School, Chicago
Poem of the School Award:
love is so fragile
breaks like glass yet so unknown
so hard to trust now
Karen Situ, Age 12, Grade 6
James Ward Elementary, Chicago
Poem of the School Award:
the girl is shaking
staring into the mirror
as no one stares back
Inci Qasimli, Age 11, Grade 5
Louisa May Alcott Elementary, Chicago
Poem of the School Award:
rats in the sewer
having a dance party at
three in the morning
Kayo Spiewak, Age 10, Grade 5
St. Giles School, Oak Park, IL
Honorable Mention:
picturesque seasons
breathtaking features
all lost/ lost to humankind
Phoebe Doyle, Age 11, Grade 5
St. Giles School, Oak Park, IL
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. Jeffrey Putnam
Ms. Arlene Garcia
Ms. Neida Martinez
Mr. David Kissane
Ms. Jennifer Salen
Ms. Miranda Marnik-Said
Mr. Jack Devitt