Celebration of Poetry

Share your poetry with the community–the deadline for submission is January 19, 2024!

We celebrate our newest poets right here in south central Pennsylvania!

Each year, we ask students from across York and Adams Counties to submit their best poems for our annual Celebration of Poetry. The judges read dozens of entries in six different age brackets:

  • Grades 1-2
  • Grades 3-4
  • Grades 5-6
  • Grades 7-8
  • Grades 9-10
  • Grades 11-12

Let your creativity soar! Previous poem entries have included themes of nature, people, trips, and the universe! Four winning poems will be selected for each of the six age brackets.

Read the 2023 Winning Poems

Read the Celebration of Poetry Book below or borrow it from your local library. This book features the top four winning poems from students in each age group! 

 


Celebration of Poetry 2024

Guidelines for Submission

  • Entrants must be between Grades 1-12 and a resident of York or Adams County.
  • Entrants may submit one original poem in the style of their choice.
  • Poems must be submitted using the online entry form below.
    • Poems must be typed.
    • Poems must be the work of an individual–not a group or collaboration.
    • Poems must be the work of a human being in their entirety–poems written by an A.I. (or written by an A.I. and edited by a human) will be disqualified.
    • Poems must be submitted by January 19, 2024.
  • Contact information should not be included directly on the poem–include it in your online submission instead.
    • This is part of our fair judging process.
  • Any accompanying artwork must be original.
  • Poems will become the property of York County Libraries and will not be returned, so please keep a copy of your poem for yourself.

Examples, Tips, & Prompts

Info for Teens


Sorry, this form is no longer available. Thank you to this year's participants. Check back in November 2024 to compete in next year's Celebration of Poetry!