The judges have made their final decisions and we are thrilled to announce the winners in the 2023 Vision+Voice Poetry Contest.
As you you read these winning poems you will see that there is a lot of variety – some are funny, some are sad, some are mysterious, and some are beautifully simple. All of these poems succeed in presenting a vision or a feeling of the poet’s world in their own special way.
The poems are judged based on these 6 criteria:
Theme – Does the poem give readers a specific idea or perspective on a subject?
Originality – Does the poem offer a new or different way of thinking or feeling about that idea?
Language – Are the words precise and does their arrangement create a unified impression?
Imagery – Does the poem use figurative language (simile, metaphor) to create a vivid description and appeal to readers’ senses and imagination?
Impact – Does the poem evoke an emotional response from readers?
Technical Details – Are spelling and usage appropriate to the poem’s subject?
Judging poetry isn’t easy, and our judges take this task very seriously. There were hundreds of wonderful poems to choose from, and we are confident that these poems are a great representation of the best entries in this year’s contest.
Stay tuned for more information about the 2023 Vision+Voice Literary Festival coming up on April 28 – we’re planning a huge celebration for all the winners, and we hope you will join us!
THE 2023 VISION+VOICE WINNERS ARE:
1st Grade
I BIT MY BED by Lyric B. / Maplewood Elementary School
Fried Chicken by James B. / Homeschool
2nd Grade
Happy Days by Luna Y. / Boone Elementary School
Having Fun by Luna Y. / Boone Elementary School
3rd Grade
Thanksgiving by Everly L. / Boone Elementary School
Bubblelian by Sparrow D. / Boone Elementary School
4th Grade
I Am From These Moments by Owen M. / Brentwood Elementary School
Toledo Bend by Aida B. / Brentwood Elementary School
5th Grade
Anger by Brodie K. / Boone Elementary School
I Am by Mateo L. / Boone Elementary School
6th Grade
Paintings by Annika E. / Lamar Middle School
All Quiet by Days End / Katherine R. / Gorzycki Middle School
7th Grade
Gone by Delinah O. / Gorzycki Middle School
moments to memories by Aubrey L. / Gorzycki Middle School
8th Grade
Words by Alexandra S. / Murchison Middle School
Blue and Gray by Stella S. / Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders
9th Grade
My Grandfather’s Guitar by Ximena F. J. / Rouse High School
Car Crash in Cold Country by Josie B. / Liberal Arts & Science Academy
10th Grade
Sentimentos No encontrados by Jhoselin L. / Austin Achieve Public High School
The Power Of A Name by Victoria M. / Stephen F. Austin High School
11th Grade
Where I’m from by Caleb E. / Rouse High School
Chasing Birds by Ryan M. / Rouse High School
Only For a Season by Cicily H. / Stephen F. Austin High School
The Reality of Dreams by Claire D. / Stephen F. Austin High School
12th Grade
Ode to Dishes by Wallis B. / Stephen F. Austin High School
Dear Mother by Lani G. / Anderson High School
Congratulations to all the poets, their teachers, and their families!