Great Adk Young People’s Poetry Contest

“We read, recite, learn and write poems in order to fix in our memory precious truths and lasting feelings. Poetry existed long before the alphabet, and served ancient cultures as a way of remembering the stories that defined them. In our world of print and electronic media, poetry retains its ancient power.”

The Great Adirondack Young People’s Poetry Contest was initiated in 1998 and remains today one of the most successful and treasured programs of the Lake Placid Institute. It originated from a recognition that poetry is not only a fundamental literary art but also a form of writing that can be easily made accessible and to students of all ages. Each year we receive over 500 entries from students in grades 1-12 in public and private schools within the Adirondack Park. The poems are juried by professional practicing poets – this year Judith Coopy and the Poetry Group of Saranac Lake – and several young poets in each grade are honored as winners. Selected poems will be published in the chapbook, Words from the Woods, and poets chosen for special merit will have the opportunity to recite their poems at an awards reception on April 25, 2pm at the North Woods Hotel in Lake Placid.

2019 Words from the Woods Poetry Contest Booklet

-Students may participate if they reside in or attend school in the Adirondack Park
including any county which is partially located in the Adirondack Park

- Poets must be enrolled in grades 1-12

- All entries must be emailed or postmarked by March 1st, 2020.

- All poems must have a title and be original.

- Entries are limited to two poems per person.

- Poems may be of any length and in any form of verse rhyme, meter, free.

- All entries must include the following information and may be sent via email method.

Student name:

Grade:

School:
School Address:

Teacher’s Name:
Teacher’s Email:

All entries must be Emailed or Postmarked by March 1, 2020