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

Check back in August 2021 for the rules/application for PST's 2021/2022 Student Contest!


Student Contest
Congratulations to all students who entered the 2020/2021 Student Contests.  Many thanks to our Student Contest Coordinator, Frances Cowden, our contest judges, and the teachers who made this possible!  Click on the links below for winners, and for examples of winning eye poems!

2020/2021 Student Contest Winners
2020/2021 Student Eye Poem Contest Winners - High School
2020/2021 Student Eye Poem Contest Winners - Middle School

Previous Year Winners
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.