YCL Announces Poetry Contest Winners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                          

May 29, 2024 

 Celebration of Poetry Winners Announced    

YORK, PA – 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.  

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MEDIA CONTACT

Deb Sullivan
Community Relations Director
York County Libraries
dsullivan@yorklibraries.org