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
Click here for our 2020/2021 student contest brochure.

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.  


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.