Poetry contest open to Saginaw County high school students

by Janet I. Martineau

River Junction Poets is seeking entires for its annual high school poetry contest.

Any student enrolled in a Saginaw County high school is eligible, with prizes of $100 for first place, $75 for second place and $50 for third place -- along with an invitation to read their winning works during a public performance. 

Honorable mentions of $20 are also possible at the discretion of the judge. 

The poems can be on any subject and in any style, rhymed or unrhymed, and must be within conventional standards of good taste.

Among the rules:

-- All work must be the original work of the submitting poet.

-- Each student may enter only one poem.

-- Each poem must fit, and be submitted on, one side of an 8 1/2 by 11-inch sheet of paper.

-- Poems must be typed or computer-printed in standard-size print.

-- In the upper right corner, type your name, full address, phone number, school and grade, and how you learned about the contest.

All identification will be deleted from the copies sent to the judge. And the criteria for judging includes creativity, originality, quality of ideas and imaginative use of language.

All entries must be postmarked by March 25 and mailed to River Junction Poets High School Contest, P.O. Box 20162, Saginaw, Mi. 48602.

Winners will received notification by mail and are invited to read their poems at the River Junction Poets’ Spring Poetry Performance, which takes place at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 1, at First Congregational Church, 403 S. Jefferson in Saginaw.

For questions, send an e-mail to pinkflower3@gmail.com. River Junction Poets also has a Facebook page.