The judges have made their final decisions and we are thrilled to announce the winners in the 2024 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.
THE 2024 VISION+VOICE WINNERS ARE:
1st Grade
Tennis by Remington R. / Ridgetop Elementary
Ode to Cats by Esme M. / Ascent Academy
Pickle Dog (a Haiku poem) by Enzo R. / Ridgetop Elementary
2nd Grade
My Amazing Family by Eva A. / Ridgetop Elementary
My Brother by Charlotte B. / Ridgetop Elementary
3rd Grade
The Snow Leopard by Taj M. / Doss Elementary
Sunflower Fields by Calder M. / Doss Elementary
Fire by Gracie H. / Boone Elementary
Books by Gracie H. / Boone Elementary
Words that Rhyme by Thomas E. / Boone Elementary
4th Grade
I Dream a World (Inspired by Langston Hughes) by Aria S. / Brentwood Elementary
My Friend Pencil by Cora T. / Ridgetop Elementary
Nature by Chloe C. / Ridgetop Elementary
They Call Us… by Isla P. / Brentwood Elementary
5th Grade
The Power of Words by Aida B. / Brentwood Elementary
I Am by Owen M. / Brentwood Elementary
Broken Hearts by Stella E. / Capitol School of Austin
6th Grade
The Ocean May Seem Beautiful by Renee K. / Gorzycki Middle School
FORGOTTEN by Lucia G. / Gorzycki Middle School
Scout from Shadows Thin by August W. / Gorzycki Middle School
Moldable by Avishka C. / Gorzycki Middle School
7th Grade
Observations of an Immigrant by Leelah V. / Lamar Middle School
Blank Page by Ivy A. / Lamar Middle School
Goodbye Toby by June P. / Lamar Middle School
5 Ways of Looking at Grief by Annikea E. / Lamar Middle School
8th Grade
Pirouette by Wren V. / Lamar Middle School
My Hobby Hullabaloo by Zeena H. / Gorzicky Middle School
Poems Hide (After Naomi Shihab Nye) by Lucy C. / Lamar Middle School
Looking For Hope by Em S. / Murchison Middle School
9th Grade
Threadcatcher by Stella S. / Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders
Yesterday Girl by Asa W. / Austin High School
10th Grade
Versions by Brynn G. / San Marcos High School
After the Rain by Phineas E. / Austin High School
Nature by Bri H. / Stephen F. Austin High School
Just a Kid by Isabela M. / Stephen F. Austin High School
11th Grade
Silent Smoke by Sarah Y. / James Bowie High School
Dragon by Gabriela Mc. / James Bowie High School
Wildflowers Don’t Dance by Janani E. / Liberal Arts and Science Academy
Please Don’t Leave Me Shattered. by Kennedy A. / Austin Highschool
12th Grade
A Pennies Worth by Angelina M. / Austin High School
The Weeping Wood by Andrew B. / Stephen F.Austin High School
Blowing Sand by Locke S. / Austin High School
A Noise in the Woods by Deven N. / Stephen F Austin High School
Congratulations to all the poets, their teachers, and their families!