CONGRATULATIONS to all 2025-2026 student contest winners!
The following first place winning poems will appear in Tennessee Voices Anthology, 2025-2026, expected to be published late summer or early fall:
High School Division (Megan Krupa, judge): “How the Life Goes By” by Sharon Honeycutt (9th grade, Sunbright School; teacher: Richard Baskin)
Middle School Division (Macy Shaver, judge): "Puppet Strings to Me” by Maya Calabrese (7th grade, White Station Middle School; teacher: Karla Varriano)
Elementary Division (Kory Wells, judge): "Hospital” by Thabiso Petrauskis (4th grade, Columbia Academy; teacher: Kathryn Phillips)
Many thanks to students, teachers, and judges who participated in this contest. Get the full winners list and find additional information on our judges here: 2025-2026 FULL RESULTS
The following first place winning poems will appear in Tennessee Voices Anthology, 2025-2026, expected to be published late summer or early fall:
High School Division (Megan Krupa, judge): “How the Life Goes By” by Sharon Honeycutt (9th grade, Sunbright School; teacher: Richard Baskin)
Middle School Division (Macy Shaver, judge): "Puppet Strings to Me” by Maya Calabrese (7th grade, White Station Middle School; teacher: Karla Varriano)
Elementary Division (Kory Wells, judge): "Hospital” by Thabiso Petrauskis (4th grade, Columbia Academy; teacher: Kathryn Phillips)
Many thanks to students, teachers, and judges who participated in this contest. Get the full winners list and find additional information on our judges here: 2025-2026 FULL RESULTS
ABOUT OUR STUDENT CONTESTS
Poetry Society of Tennessee (PST) sponsors a contest open to all Tennessee students; non-residents may enter if they join PST as student members. The competition has three divisions: Elementary (Grades 2-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), High School (Grades 9-12).
PRIZES & PUBLICATION
Prizes are given for top poems for each division. First place poems will be published in PST's Tennessee Voices Anthology, published in late summer annually. Where to buy.
WHY STUDENT CONTESTS?
One of PST's central values is to encourage young poets. The student contest is a way to engage young poets across Tennessee in the art and craft of poetry.
TENNESSEE STUDENT CONTEST HISTORY & LEADERSHIP
Long-time West Tennessee member Frances Cowden (1939-2025) was instrumental in establishing this student outreach program and for many years served as its Chair. Educator and poet Seth Grindstaff carried on this tradition as Student Contest Chair from 2020 to 2025. Educator and poet DeAnna Stephens became Student Contest Chair starting with the 2025-2026 cycle.
Poetry Society of Tennessee (PST) sponsors a contest open to all Tennessee students; non-residents may enter if they join PST as student members. The competition has three divisions: Elementary (Grades 2-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), High School (Grades 9-12).
PRIZES & PUBLICATION
Prizes are given for top poems for each division. First place poems will be published in PST's Tennessee Voices Anthology, published in late summer annually. Where to buy.
WHY STUDENT CONTESTS?
One of PST's central values is to encourage young poets. The student contest is a way to engage young poets across Tennessee in the art and craft of poetry.
TENNESSEE STUDENT CONTEST HISTORY & LEADERSHIP
Long-time West Tennessee member Frances Cowden (1939-2025) was instrumental in establishing this student outreach program and for many years served as its Chair. Educator and poet Seth Grindstaff carried on this tradition as Student Contest Chair from 2020 to 2025. Educator and poet DeAnna Stephens became Student Contest Chair starting with the 2025-2026 cycle.
STUDENT MEMBERSHIP IN POETRY SOCIETY OF TENNESSEE
Students are invited to join the Poetry Society of Tennessee (PST) at a reduced rate. 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. Click here for additional information on joining PST. This is a great opportunity to develop skills and become a published poet.
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.
PREVIOUS TENNESSEE STUDENT CONTEST WINNERS
2024/2025 Student Contest 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
2024/2025 Student Contest 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