Entries Accepted March 15 - April 15
Winners Announced by U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo on April 25
Youth Poetry Contest FAQ
Must be a 4th - 12th grader during the entry period AND must live in or attend school in Oklahoma County.
Library employees and members of their households are not eligible.
Eligible participants may submit a maximum of 2 works. A completed online entry form must accompany each submission. Ineligible or incomplete forms and/or entries will not be judged.
Entries must NOT:
- Be in a language other than English
- Be copied from any other sources
- Have been previously published
- Be more than 1,500 words
Option 1: Submit online submission
Option 2: Ask a library staff member to help you submit your entry at any library location.
Entries will not be returned.
Library staff will serve as judges. Entries will be judged on content, originality and quality. Winners will be contacted via phone and/or email by library staff and announced on April 25 by U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo. Winners will be published on the library’s website and social media platforms.
Grades 4-6 - 1 Prize Winner
- Wireless Headphones
- Prize Pack with a journal, pen and poetry books
Grades 7-9 - 1 Prize Winner
- Amazon Fire Tablet
- Prize Pack with a journal, pen and poetry books
Grades 10-12 - 1 Prize Winner
- Amazon Fire Tablet
- Prize Pack with a journal, pen and poetry books
Best in Show - 1 Prize Winner
- iPad
- Wireless Headphones
- Prize Pack with a journal, pen and poetry books
Poetry Workshop for 4th - 6th Grade
Presented by Mary Gray, Local Poet, MPA and MFA
Join Poet Mary Gray as she walks students through the definition of personification, delves into figurative language, and provides a guided poetry reading of works by Mordicai Gerstein. At the end of Mary’s poetry workshop, students will have the opportunity to put pen to paper with a fun writing exercise.
Presented by Grant Jenkins, Assoc. Prof., Faculty of English Language and Literature, University of Tulsa
Black Americans of African descent have been writing poetry in North America before the United States was even a country. Join Poetry Professor Grant Matthew Jenkins as he discusses his love and appreciation of African American Poetry. Professor Jenkins introduces young poets to poetry greats such as Phillis Wheatley, George Moses Horton, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Langston Hughes, Melvin B. Tolson, Gwendolyn Brooks, Russell Atkins, Maya Angelou, Amiri Baraka, and Sonia Sanchez. He then showcases three of his favorite poets (Nathaniel Mackey, Julie Patton & Harryette Mullen) in the hopes that students will learn something about writing poetry from each of their unique writing styles, which include stuttered rhythms, improvisation, and nicknaming.
POETRY WORKSHOP FOR 7TH - 9TH GRADE
Presented by Mary Gray, Local Poet, MPA and MFA
Join Poet Mary Gray as she walks students through the definition of imagery, discusses the difference between abstract and concrete images, and provides a guided poetry reading. Mary’s poetry workshop will help young poets learn how to connect their reader with feelings or ideas that are sometimes difficult to put into words.
Presented by Grant Jenkins, Assoc. Prof., Faculty of English Language and Literature, University of Tulsa
Experiencing writer’s block? Not to worry! Professor and poet Grant Matthew Jenkins is here to show students how to have fun with words. Professor Jenkins talks about process-oriented writing and walks students through its four steps: free associate; sample & gather; defamiliarize; arrange. All you need is something to write with and three to four books to get started and create your own poem!
POETRY WORKSHOP FOR 10TH - 12TH GRADE
Presented by Najah Hylton, OKCPS English Teacher and Member of the Tri-City Collective, Oklahoma’s educational team of creatives for youth and communities of color
Join OKCPS teacher and poet Najah-Amatullah Hylton as she talks about poetry, what makes it interesting, what makes it fun, and her favorite things about it! Najah explains the difference between poetry and prose, delves into figurative language, specifically talks about sound devices such as alliteration, assonance, consonance, and rhyme, and provides a guided poetry reading in this informative poetry workshop video.
Presented by Najah Hylton, OKCPS English Teacher and Member of the Tri-City Collective, Oklahoma’s educational team of creatives for youth and communities of color
Join OKCPS teacher and poet Najah-Amatullah Hylton as she provides all the tips you need to learn how to write a poem! Najah reads one of her poems and teaches students to write their own by focusing on types of repetition. She talks about how to select a topic and explains words such as ekphrasis, anaphora, antimetabole, and chiasmus. Najah also stresses the importance of giving yourself time in your creative process and most importantly, having fun!
Other Poetry Month Events
What better way to explore the world than through food! Spice Chronicles will introduce you to knew flavors from around the globe through regional spice mixes.
Disclaimer(s)
We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens. Accordingly, the Library will not be liable for such harm to any individual resulting from such allergens.
Food ingredients in this kit have been repackaged by staff.
Prepare your household for the unexpected with our ICE Binder Take-Home Kit! This kit includes supplies and step-by-step instructions to create an organized binder for essential documents, emergency contacts, and vital information.
Disclaimer(s)
We can only guarantee one kit per household and per registration (if required).
Be Advised: This program may be photographed and/or videotaped for publicity purposes.
By Attending, you consent: To the use of your voice and likeness in future publicity uses that contain content from this event. If you do not wish to be on camera, please let us know.
For more information visit our Photography & Video Disclaimer
Visit Ralph Ellison Library for a poem a day during National Poetry Month, featuring different poets, eras, and subjects. You just might find a new favorite!
What better way to explore the world than through food! Spice Chronicles will introduce you to knew flavors from around the globe through regional spice mixes.
Disclaimer(s)
We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens. Accordingly, the Library will not be liable for such harm to any individual resulting from such allergens.
Food ingredients in this kit have been repackaged by staff.
Celebrate the warm weather by decorating your very own birdhouse using birdseeds and other edible ingredients. Create a cozy spot for local birds while letting your imagination soar.
Disclaimer(s)
We can only guarantee one kit per household and per registration (if required).
Be Advised: This program may be photographed and/or videotaped for publicity purposes.
By Attending, you consent: To the use of your voice and likeness in future publicity uses that contain content from this event. If you do not wish to be on camera, please let us know.
For more information visit our Photography & Video Disclaimer
Each week in April our poet-tree will blossom with spring poetry! Enjoy reading the new selections and vote for the one that speaks to you.