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.  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 our Eye Poem Page) -- all age groups

Student Contest
Students in each age group and the eye poem category have different due dates, so please check the application.  Also note that there are very specific formatting requirements: winning poems are submitted to National contests and may be published.  

COVID-19 announcement

Our Student Awards were originally planned for April 4; however due to COVID-19 and Memphis/Shelby County health precautions, PST has suspended all meetings until further notice.  
We will post winners both here and on Facebook; awards will be mailed to students.  Many, many thanks to all the students and teachers who participated!!!

2019/2020 Student Contest Winners 
​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

Check back in August/September 2020 for our next Student contest!!! 

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.