Attention:

The Ralph Ellison Library at 2000 NE 23rd St is closed for upgrades beginning April 16. We anticipate reopening on May 6.

Youth Poetry Contest

Entries Accepted March 15 - April 15

Winners Announced by U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo on April 25

 

 

Youth Poetry Contest FAQ

Must be a 4th - 12th grader during the entry period AND must live in or attend school in Oklahoma County.

Library employees and members of their households are not eligible.

Eligible participants may submit a maximum of 2 works. A completed online entry form must accompany each submission. Ineligible or incomplete forms and/or entries will not be judged.

Entries must NOT:

  • Be in a language other than English
  • Be copied from any other sources
  • Have been previously published
  • Be more than 1,500 words

Option 1:  Submit online submission

Option 2:  Ask a library staff member to help you submit your entry at any library location.

 

Entries will not be returned.

Library staff will serve as judges. Entries will be judged on content, originality and quality. Winners will be contacted via phone and/or email by library staff and announced on April 25 by U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo. Winners will be published on the library’s website and social media platforms.

Grades 4-6 - 1 Prize Winner 

  • Wireless Headphones 
  • Prize Pack with a journal, pen and poetry books   


Grades 7-9 - 1 Prize Winner 

  • Amazon Fire Tablet 
  • Prize Pack with a journal, pen and poetry books    

 

Grades 10-12 - 1 Prize Winner 

  • Amazon Fire Tablet  
  • Prize Pack with a journal, pen and poetry books   

 

Best in Show - 1 Prize Winner 

  • iPad 
  • Wireless Headphones 
  • Prize Pack with a journal, pen and poetry books    

 

Youth Poetry Workshop

 

Poetry Workshop for 4th - 6th Grade

Presented by Mary Gray, Local Poet, MPA and MFA

Join Poet Mary Gray as she walks students through the definition of personification, delves into figurative language, and provides a guided poetry reading of works by Mordicai Gerstein. At the end of Mary’s poetry workshop, students will have the opportunity to put pen to paper with a fun writing exercise.


 

Presented by Grant Jenkins, Assoc. Prof., Faculty of English Language and Literature, University of Tulsa

Black Americans of African descent have been writing poetry in North America before the United States was even a country. Join Poetry Professor Grant Matthew Jenkins as he discusses his love and appreciation of African American Poetry. Professor Jenkins introduces young poets to poetry greats such as Phillis Wheatley, George Moses Horton, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Langston Hughes, Melvin B. Tolson, Gwendolyn Brooks, Russell Atkins, Maya Angelou, Amiri Baraka, and Sonia Sanchez. He then showcases three of his favorite poets (Nathaniel Mackey, Julie Patton & Harryette Mullen) in the hopes that students will learn something about writing poetry from each of their unique writing styles, which include stuttered rhythms, improvisation, and nicknaming.


 

 

POETRY WORKSHOP FOR 7TH - 9TH GRADE

Presented by Mary Gray, Local Poet, MPA and MFA

Join Poet Mary Gray as she walks students through the definition of imagery, discusses the difference between abstract and concrete images, and provides a guided poetry reading. Mary’s poetry workshop will help young poets learn how to connect their reader with feelings or ideas that are sometimes difficult to put into words.


 

Presented by Grant Jenkins, Assoc. Prof., Faculty of English Language and Literature, University of Tulsa

Experiencing writer’s block? Not to worry! Professor and poet Grant Matthew Jenkins is here to show students how to have fun with words. Professor Jenkins talks about process-oriented writing and walks students through its four steps: free associate; sample & gather; defamiliarize; arrange. All you need is something to write with and three to four books to get started and create your own poem!


 

 

POETRY WORKSHOP FOR 10TH - 12TH GRADE

Presented by Najah Hylton, OKCPS English Teacher and Member of the Tri-City Collective, Oklahoma’s educational team of creatives for youth and communities of color

Join OKCPS teacher and poet Najah-Amatullah Hylton as she talks about poetry, what makes it interesting, what makes it fun, and her favorite things about it! Najah explains the difference between poetry and prose, delves into figurative language, specifically talks about sound devices such as alliteration, assonance, consonance, and rhyme, and provides a guided poetry reading in this informative poetry workshop video.


 

Presented by Najah Hylton, OKCPS English Teacher and Member of the Tri-City Collective, Oklahoma’s educational team of creatives for youth and communities of color

Join OKCPS teacher and poet Najah-Amatullah Hylton as she provides all the tips you need to learn how to write a poem! Najah reads one of her poems and teaches students to write their own by focusing on types of repetition. She talks about how to select a topic and explains words such as ekphrasis, anaphora, antimetabole, and chiasmus. Najah also stresses the importance of giving yourself time in your creative process and most importantly, having fun!


 

 

 

Other Poetry Month Events

This event is in the "Kids" group.

Prairie Vale Elementary Kindergarten Outreach

9:00am - 11:00am
Kids
Northwest Library
Library Branch: Northwest Library
Room: Offsite (Northwest)
Age Group: Kids
Program Type: Books & Reading
This event is in the "All Ages" group.

OKC Mobile Market

9:30am - 10:30am
All Ages
Del City Library
Library Branch: Del City Library
Room: Onsite (Del City)
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Event Description:

The OKC Mobile Market offers fresh produce to residents of Oklahoma County at no cost. We know that access to fresh fruit and vegetables is a barrier for many folks in the community, not only due to food deserts, but also the rising cost of food.

Disclaimer(s)

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens. Accordingly, the Library will not be liable for such harm to any individual resulting from such allergens.

This event is in the "Birth-PreK" group.

Musictime

10:00am - 11:00am
Birth-PreK
Warr Acres Library
Library Branch: Warr Acres Library
Room: Meeting Room A (Warr Acres)
Age Group: Birth-PreK
Program Type: Child Development & Parenting, Family Programs
Event Description:

Move and groove with Miss Ginger!

Disclaimer(s)

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to be in attendance and be engaged with your child for this program. 

This event is in the "Birth-PreK" group.
This event is in the "Kids" group.

Circle of Parents Support Group

10:00am - 11:00am
Birth-PreK, Kids
The Village Library
Registration Required
Library Branch: The Village Library
Room: Meeting Room AB (Village)
Age Group: Birth-PreK, Kids
Program Type: Family Programs
Registration Required
Event Description:

Join us for a support group for parents hosted by Oklahoma County Child Guidance through the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center.

This event is in the "Adults" group.

Yoga

10:15am - 11:15am
Adults
Choctaw Library
Registration Required
Library Branch: Choctaw Library
Room: Meeting Room (Choctaw)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Registration Required
Event Description:

No matter your level of experience there is something to gain from these all level classes. Yoga has numerous benefits, such as increased flexibility, improved muscle strength, increased blood flow, better posture, balance, and more!

This event is in the "Birth-PreK" group.

CANCELLED: Free Play Friday

11:30am - 12:30pm
Birth-PreK
Ralph Ellison Library
Cancelled
Registration Required
Library Branch: Ralph Ellison Library
Room: Meeting Room AB (Ralph Ellison)
Age Group: Birth-PreK
Program Type: Storytimes
Registration Required
Event Description:

Play is an important part of early childhood development and an excellent way to prepare children for school and beyond.

Disclaimer(s)

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to be in attendance and be engaged with your child for this program. 

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