YCL Announces Poetry Contest Winners
York County Libraries have announced the winners of the 35th Annual “A Celebration of Poetry” contest. Students from York and Adams County submitted original poems and twenty-four winners were selected. The winning students read their entries during a ceremony held in their honor at Martin Library in York.
"Poetry provides a creative outlet for self-expression and creativity,” says York County Libraries President Robert F. Lambert. “This annual contest provides an opportunity for area students to share their writing with their friends, family and the community.”
According to Lambert, York County Libraries received over 75 contest entries this year. Winners were selected in the following age groups: Grades 1-2, Grades 3-4, Grades 5-6, Grades 7-8, Grades 9-10, and Grades 11-12. They were judged on organization and overall impact, poetry elements, grammar, usage, mechanics, and spelling by a panel of local educators, librarians, and writers. This year’s judges include Chuck Blair, Travis Kurowski, Lori Leckrone, Barbara Lomenzo, Dominish Marie Miller, Holly Nace, Dustin Nispel, Spencer Patterson, Jerald Proctor Sr., Alba Sarria, and Diaz Woodard.
“Thank you to all of the students who participated in Celebration of Poetry this year,” says York County Libraries Youth Services Director Mindy McDonnell. “Our area has such talented writers, and it was really an honor to give them an opportunity to showcase their work.”
The 2024 poetry contest winners are as follows:
First & Second Grade
First Place: Elora Reiter
Second Place: Orion Wentland
Third Place: Esther Boyd
Fourth Place: Clayton Eberle
Third & Fourth Grade
First Place: Matias Caldwell
Second Place: Gabriella Wright
Third Place: Naomi Boyd
Fourth Place: Emily Hullinger
Fifth & Sixth Grade
First Place: Harper Huffman
Second Place: Lola Canty
Third Place: Audrina Aldana
Fourth Place: Zoe Fisher
Seventh & Eighth Grade
First Place: Riley Lentz
Second Place: Evie Eaton
Third Place: Kailey Amspacher
Fourth Place: Kaleigh Prieber
Ninth & Tenth Grade
First Place: Olivia Williams
Second Place: Ivy Bonnes
Third Place: Faith Champagne
Fourth Place: Kai Dittrich
Eleventh & Twelfth Grade
First Place: Rylee Barmore
Second Place: Tamsin Moore
Third Place: Namine Harris
Fourth Place: Abigail Cook
Individuals interested in reading the winning poems can find the commemorative Celebration of Poetry booklet online at yorklibraries.org or borrow a copy from libraries in York and Adams County.
York County Libraries include 13 libraries that provide the latest in print and digital information, bestsellers, Wi-Fi, story times, book discussions and databases. Their extensive collection includes over 560,000 items and one million digital library materials for loan. All are available for free with a York County Libraries card. Community members without a card are invited to request one at yorklibraries.org at no cost.
Deb Sullivan
Community Relations Director
York County Libraries
159 E. Market Street
York, PA 17401
