One of PST's central values is to encourage young poets. Long-time West Tennessee member Frances Cowden has been instrumental in this outreach, and has been recognized by the National Federation of State Poetry Societies for her work. Educator and poet Seth Grindstaff carries on this tradition as lead for our student poetry contests once again for 2024-2025.
ABOUT OUR STUDENT CONTESTS
PST sponsors a contest open to all Tennessee students; non-residents may enter if they join PST as student members. Student categories are shown below:
PUBLICATION
First place poems will be published in Tennessee Voices, PST's poetry anthology. Where to buy.
ABOUT OUR STUDENT CONTESTS
PST sponsors a contest open to all Tennessee students; non-residents may enter if they join PST as student members. Student categories are shown below:
- Elementary (Grades 2-5)
- Middle School (Grades 6-8)
- High School (Grades 9-12)
PUBLICATION
First place poems will be published in Tennessee Voices, PST's poetry anthology. Where to buy.
2024/2025 PST STUDENT POETRY CONTEST
High School Division (Grades 9-12) Free Verse Poem — postmark deadline December 21, 2024
Middle School Division (Grades 6-8) Free Verse Poem— postmark deadline February 22, 2025
Elementary Division (Grades 2-5) Any Poem Form — postmark deadline February 22, 2025
CONTEST AWARDS
1st place $25, 2nd $20, 3rd $15, 4th $10, & 5th $5.
Winners will be announced on the Poetry Society website www.poetrytennessee.org/pstcontests in the spring. Winning poems will
be published in Tennessee Voices.
GUIDELINES
1. The competition is free and open to all Tennessee students in grades 2-12.
a) Public, private, and home school students are eligible.
b) Work generated by AI is not accepted.
c) Each student may submit only one poem.
2. Formatting: Entries must follow the guidelines for their poems to be considered in the competition.
a) Your poem should be formatted as follows: single spaced, typed in Times News Roman font size 12 Your poem must fit on a single sheet.
b) Your poem must have a title.
c) Do not include any illustrations or pictures.
3. Submit two copies of your poem for judging purposes.
Copy #1 (the “information” copy) must follow the example below.
The following information must be written on the top left corner of the paper above the poem.
division (elementary, middle, or high school) student’s first & last name
student’s grade
name of school
school street address
teacher’s prefix (Mr/Ms) & first & last name teacher’s email
Copy #2 (the “poem only” copy) must only include the “division” (elementary, middle, or high school) in the top left corner of the paper above the poem.
4. Teacher Submission Instructions
If sending a class set, keep each student’s “copy 1” and “copy 2” paired together. Student work will not be returned.
Mail entries to the following address:
Attn: Seth Grindstaff 220 Sunny Slopes Dr. Jonesborough, TN 37659
PRINTER-FRIENDLY COPY
High School Division (Grades 9-12) Free Verse Poem — postmark deadline December 21, 2024
Middle School Division (Grades 6-8) Free Verse Poem— postmark deadline February 22, 2025
Elementary Division (Grades 2-5) Any Poem Form — postmark deadline February 22, 2025
CONTEST AWARDS
1st place $25, 2nd $20, 3rd $15, 4th $10, & 5th $5.
Winners will be announced on the Poetry Society website www.poetrytennessee.org/pstcontests in the spring. Winning poems will
be published in Tennessee Voices.
GUIDELINES
1. The competition is free and open to all Tennessee students in grades 2-12.
a) Public, private, and home school students are eligible.
b) Work generated by AI is not accepted.
c) Each student may submit only one poem.
2. Formatting: Entries must follow the guidelines for their poems to be considered in the competition.
a) Your poem should be formatted as follows: single spaced, typed in Times News Roman font size 12 Your poem must fit on a single sheet.
b) Your poem must have a title.
c) Do not include any illustrations or pictures.
3. Submit two copies of your poem for judging purposes.
Copy #1 (the “information” copy) must follow the example below.
The following information must be written on the top left corner of the paper above the poem.
division (elementary, middle, or high school) student’s first & last name
student’s grade
name of school
school street address
teacher’s prefix (Mr/Ms) & first & last name teacher’s email
Copy #2 (the “poem only” copy) must only include the “division” (elementary, middle, or high school) in the top left corner of the paper above the poem.
4. Teacher Submission Instructions
If sending a class set, keep each student’s “copy 1” and “copy 2” paired together. Student work will not be returned.
Mail entries to the following address:
Attn: Seth Grindstaff 220 Sunny Slopes Dr. Jonesborough, TN 37659
PRINTER-FRIENDLY COPY
|
Example Copy #1
division (elementary, middle, or high school) student’s first & last name student’s grade name of school school street address teacher’s prefix (Mr/Ms) & first & last name teacher’s email Poem Title Poem Stanzas… |
Example Copy #2
division (elementary, middle, or high school) Poem title Poem stanzas… |
Previous Year Winners
2023/2024 Student Contest Winners
2022/2023 Student Contest Winners
2021/2022 Student Contest Winners
2020/2021 Student Contest Winners
2020/2021 Student Eye Poem Contest Winners - High School
2020/2021 Student Eye Poem Contest Winners - Middle School
2019/2020 Student Contest Winners
2019/2020 Student Eye Poem Contest Winners - Middle School
2018/2019 Student Contest Winners
2017/2018 Student Contest Winners
2017/2018 Student Eye Poem Contest Winners - Elementary School
2017/2018 Student Eye Poem Contest Winners - Middle School
2023/2024 Student Contest Winners
2022/2023 Student Contest Winners
2021/2022 Student Contest Winners
2020/2021 Student Contest Winners
2020/2021 Student Eye Poem Contest Winners - High School
2020/2021 Student Eye Poem Contest Winners - Middle School
2019/2020 Student Contest Winners
2019/2020 Student Eye Poem Contest Winners - Middle School
2018/2019 Student Contest Winners
2017/2018 Student Contest Winners
2017/2018 Student Eye Poem Contest Winners - Elementary School
2017/2018 Student Eye Poem Contest Winners - Middle School
National Student Poetry Contests
Annually, the National Federation of State Poetry Societies (NFSPS) sponsors the Manningham Trust Student Poetry Contest for middle and high school students. Students may enter other NFSPS contests exclusively for students; see the NFSPS contests page.
Annually, the National Federation of State Poetry Societies (NFSPS) sponsors the Manningham Trust Student Poetry Contest for middle and high school students. Students may enter other NFSPS contests exclusively for students; see the NFSPS contests page.
Student Membership
Students are invited to join the Poetry Society of Tennessee (PST) at a reduced rate and enter Monthly Members-Only Contests. Click here for additional information on joining PST. This is a great opportunity to develop skills and become a published poet.
Students are invited to join the Poetry Society of Tennessee (PST) at a reduced rate and enter Monthly Members-Only Contests. Click here for additional information on joining PST. This is a great opportunity to develop skills and become a published poet.