One of PST's central values has been encouraging our 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. 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:
2021/2022 Student Contest
Please click here for our Student contest form. Our Student Contest deadlines vary by division, as follows:
Please see our contest forms for rules and submission instructions. PST Contest winners will be announced in April 2022.
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
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.
Finally, all students are invited to join the Poetry Society of Tennessee (PST) and enter its Monthly Members-Only Contests. Click here for additional information on joining PST.
- Elementary (Grades 2-5)
- Middle School (Grades 6-8)
- High School (Grades 9-12)
- Eye Poems (need more information on Eye Poems? See our Eye Poem Page) -- all age groups
2021/2022 Student Contest
Please click here for our Student contest form. Our Student Contest deadlines vary by division, as follows:
- Senior division (grades 9-12) poems -- December 21, 2021
- Junior division (grades 6-8) poems -- December 21, 2021
- Elementary division (grades 2-5 poems -- February 15, 2022
- Eye poems (all divisions) -- February 15, 2022
Please see our contest forms for rules and submission instructions. PST Contest winners will be announced in April 2022.
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
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.
Finally, all students are invited to join the Poetry Society of Tennessee (PST) and enter its Monthly Members-Only Contests. Click here for additional information on joining PST.
