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.
ABOUT OUR STUDENT CONTESTS
PST sponsors a contest open to all Tennessee students annually; non-residents may enter if they join PST as student members. Student categories are shown below:
2022/2023 Student Contest
Stay tuned for details about the next student contest.
ABOUT OUR STUDENT CONTESTS
PST sponsors a contest open to all Tennessee students annually; 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)
- Eye Poems (need more information on Eye Poems? See below for eye poem tips) -- all age groups
2022/2023 Student Contest
Stay tuned for details about the next student contest.
Previous Year 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
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. See the link here for further information. Winners of the PST contest are entered in the Manningham. In addition, students may enter 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. See the link here for further information. Winners of the PST contest are entered in the Manningham. In addition, students may enter 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 even be published.
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 even be published.
EYE POEM TIPS
The Eye Poem was invented by Kenneth L. Beaudoin (1913-1995), one of the founders of the Poetry Society of Tennessee.
In an Eye Poem, you create a poetic collage using visual and verbal imagery.
Create a free verse poem by combining images from magazine pages with words, phrases and clauses onto a single page. The objective is to create a mood or inspiration. Do not write a poem first and then look for pictures. The poem is a discovery of words that fit with the graphics. You should be able to read the poem from three feet away.
For examples -- Example #1 and Example #2.
For a short tutorial about Eye Poems, please click here. Many thanks to member Emily Williams for putting this together for us!
The Eye Poem was invented by Kenneth L. Beaudoin (1913-1995), one of the founders of the Poetry Society of Tennessee.
In an Eye Poem, you create a poetic collage using visual and verbal imagery.
Create a free verse poem by combining images from magazine pages with words, phrases and clauses onto a single page. The objective is to create a mood or inspiration. Do not write a poem first and then look for pictures. The poem is a discovery of words that fit with the graphics. You should be able to read the poem from three feet away.
- Find a picture or pictures up to 8 1/2 x 11 inches. Vertical is best.
- Go through one or more magazines and find words or phrases etc. that remind you of the graphics (pictures). Cut the words out neatly and place on the page of graphics. Do not use words smaller than 14 font. LARGE WORDS will be read louder and have more emphasis.
- Do not cut out letters to make a word.
- Position the words and images on the page; if the Eye Poem will be submitted for contests, publication, or will be framed, keep a border of white space around the poem so that no words or images are cropped during production/publication.
- The first line of your poem will be its title.
For examples -- Example #1 and Example #2.
For a short tutorial about Eye Poems, please click here. Many thanks to member Emily Williams for putting this together for us!
