The fourteenth Annual Regional Poetry Contest sponsored by the Caroline, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot County Arts Councils presented this year’s winners with cash awards at the Church Hill Theatre in Church Hill, Maryland on Thursday, April 23. Over 200 entries were received and included a wide representation of styles and topics.

The contest was established in 1996 to recognize and encourage writers of all ages. Since its inception, over 2,500 entries have been received. This year’s judge, Nancy Mitchell, addressed the poets, praising them for their work. After the poems were read she gave a reading from her recently published work, “Grief Hut’ followed by a book signing. Mitchell is a guest lecturer for Delmarva Discussions throughout the Delmarva Peninsula, and a professor in the English Department at Salisbury University where she teaches Creative Writing, Poetry Workshops, and courses on the Creative Process in the Honors Program.

2009 Poetry Contest Winners

CHILDREN/YOUTH – GRADES 1 – 8
1) “December” Raymond Weisman, Tilghman School, Talbot County
2. “What I Like About Spring” Sam Covington, Sudlersville Elementary, Queen Anne’s County
3. “Hallways of Middle School”, Sarah Smigiel, Bohemia Manor Middle, Cecil County

STUDENTS – GRADES 9 – 12
1. “Travis” Sao Pelczar, Gunston Day School, Queen Anne’s County
2. “Top Heavy Love with a 16 year Old” Sao Pelczar, Gunston Day School, Queen Anne’s County
3. “Magnolia Willowsby” , Thomas Eliason, Gunston Day School, Queen Anne’s County

ADULTS – AGES 18 – 59
1. “On the Way to the Bus Stop in Centreville, MD” Amanda Newell, Caroline County
2. “Shoefiti” Amanda Newell, Caroline County
3. “December” John Andrew McCown II, Kent County

SENIORS – OVER 60
1. “Little Sister” Jody Primoff, Caroline County
2. “Breakfast with Birds” Efigenio L. Bautista, Kent County
3. “My Mother-in-Law’s Knife” Jody Primoff, Caroline County