Are you a Poet and Don’t Know It?
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Mar 6, 2014, Comments Off
Courtesy Xochitl Mora,
The Laredo Public Library’s 11th Annual Poetry Festival is once again upon us. Organizers hope to receive haikus, sonnets, poems that rhyme and poems that don’t, all vying for a bevy of prizes in the annual poetry contest.
“Poetry is such a beautiful and powerful way of expressing thoughts and emotions, social or political commentaries, or even, just silly and fun observations,” said Maria G. Soliz, Director of the Laredo Public Library. “That’s one reason why this contest is so valuable; it allows people to express themselves and to appreciate another form of literature that perhaps isn’t understood so well.”
Entries should focus on either one of two topics: “I Believe….” or any topic the author chooses to write about. Poems can be written in any format, but not be longer than two pages, double-spaced, and be in either English or Spanish. Only one entry per person is accepted.
Poems must be original; no plagiarized poems will be accepted. Entrants must fill out the application form, which can be picked up at the Laredo Public Library, from various school officials, or downloaded from the Library’s website from www.laredolibrary.org, which also has the contest’s official rules. Parents or legal guardians must fill out the release form for students under 18.
The different age groups include: Group 1: 1st – 3rd grade; Group 2: 4th – 5th grade; Group 3: 6th – 8th grade; Group 4: 9th – 12th grade; Group 5: Adults 18 and over. Students who are home schooled can also enter the contest.
The DEADLINE is Friday, March 21, 2014 at 6:00 p.m.
A panel of 5-7 judges will review the poems and select the winners. The top three in each group will read their poems at the Poetry Festival taking place this year on Saturday, April 26, 2014, as well as receive various prizes, including a dictionary, a book of poems and some school supplies. The winners’ poems will also be published. All participants will receive certificates.
The contest is sponsored by the Diocese of Laredo Catholic Schools; Friends of the Library; Laredo Community College; Laredo Independent School District; Laredo Public Library; Texas A&M International University; and United Independent School District.
