Welcome to the Lake County Library System located in Lake County, Florida. Your gateway to a world of information

Welcome to the Lake County Library System located in Lake County, Florida. Your gateway to a world of information

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East Lake Mini Library Poetry Contest

The East Lake Mini Library is holding the 21st Annual Poetry Contest in honor of April as National Poetry Month.

Entries will be accepted now through April 30, 2022.

The Poetry Contest is for all ages and will be separated into three age groups:

Children's Group: up to 12 years old
Teen Group: 13-18 years old
Adult Group: 19+ years old

You do not need to have a library card or live in Lake County to enter.

There is a 10 poem limit to how many entries can be submitted by one person. To qualify, entries must be as follows:

  • On any topic
  • Any style of writing
  • Poems should have a title
  • Names should not be on front of Poem
  • Preferred Typed
  • Fit on ONE letter-size page (8.5x11) and preferably typed
  • entry form or via U.S. Mail or electronically with the online entry form.
  • Hard copies should have the name and age group on the back of the poem
  • Deadline is April 30, 2023 @ 11:59:59 p.m.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners in each age group
1st place - $50 Gift certificate to Books-A-Million
2nd place - $25 Gift certificate to Books-A-Million
3rd place - $15 Gift certificate to Books-A-Million

The Friends of the East Lake Mini Library is sponsoring the prizes.

The entries will be judged by a select group of Lake County Poet Laureates and staff members.

Winners will be announced and posted online a few weeks after the contest closes.

For more information contact:
Scott N. Amey
SAmey@mylakelibrary.org
East Lake Mini Library
352-383-9980

How to Submit Your Entries

Entries are being accepted now through April 30, 2023.
There is 10 poem limit to how many entries that can be submitted by one person.

  1. Submit your poem with completed entry form at any of the 16 Lake County Library System libraries.
  2. Fax your poem with completed entry form to 352-383-9982.

  3. Mail your poem with completed entry form to:
    21st Annual Poetry Contest
    Lake County Library System
    418 W. Alfred St., Suite C
    Tavares, FL 32778

    Entry forms will be available at any Lake County Library location or download printable entry form here. Incomplete forms will not be considered

2022 Winners

Adult age Group (19+)

Place Winner Poem
1st Place Janet Pauley Morning Walk
2nd Place Peg York Remote Control
3rd Place Elaine Person Doom
Honorable Mention Jack Donohue Message in a Bottle
Honorable Mention Sarah Gilmore Veteran Within
Honorable Mention Cheryl Ann Guido Night Lights
Honorable Mention C. David Hay Best Friend
Honorable Mention Kathy Philpot Ego Non Curo Amplius
Honorable Mention Marc Rissman Fishing With Grandpa

Teen Age Group (13-18)

Place Winner Poem
1st Place Erin Adler Voice
2nd Place Ariana Benjamin You
3rd Place Jayla Ortiz And Just Like the Sun
Honorable Mention Gwenevere Dizon Your Withered Promise
Honorable Mention Grace Godette Tumbled Words
Honorable Mention Ethan Gruner When the Waking World Encounters…
Honorable Mention Lawson Hall Ain’t Supposed to Be
Honorable Mention Katrina Morse Pain
Honorable Mention Karalyn Principe Butterflies

Children’s Age Group (up to 12)

Place Winner Poem
1st Place Robin Buckman Winter Performance
2nd Place Nathan Stevens Cat? Fish?
3rd Place Michael Malave A Fallen Knight
Honorable Mention Cate Classon Nightmare of Living Alone
Honorable Mention Xander Flores Growing Up
Honorable Mention Addison Hale 4th of July Fireworks
Honorable Mention Havoc Hughes A Day at the Park
Honorable Mention Charlotte McAlister The Hunt
Honorable Mention Christopher Vitale Numbers

1st Place Prizes - $50 Gift Certificate to Books-A-Million
2nd Place Prizes - $25 Gift Certificate to Books-A-Million
3rd Place Prizes - $15 Gift Certificate to Books-A-Million
Honorable Mention Prizes – Certificate of Recognition
All Entries will receive a Certificate of participation

Prizes were donated: by the Friends of the East Lake Mini Library

2014 Winners
2010 Winners
2009 Winners
2008 Winners
2007 Winners
2006 Winners
2005 Winners
2004 Winners
2003 Winners
2002 Winners