NWP-KSU: Programs for Students

2026 "Write Where You Are" Poetry Contest Winners

The National Writing Project is pleased to announce the winners of the annual Write Where You Are Poetry Contest. Thanks to all the writers for the wonderful poetry entries and congratulations to our winners. Special thanks to our contest organizer Tamara Cabrera-Perrine and judges Jeff Harr and Lori Wilfong.
Grades K-2: George Kiel’s “Myrtle Beach”
Grades 3-5:

First Place: Elizabeth Ambrose’s “My Backyard View”
Second Place: Liliana Smearchek’s “My Room”
Third Place: MacKenzie Keating’s “Floor Flips”

Grades 6-8:

First Place: Evelyn Miller’s “Floating Notes”
Second Place: Chelsea Banks’ “Consoled by a Memory”
Third Place: Emmitt McPhee’s “Nature and Briskett”
Honorable Mention: (Tie) Michael O’Toole and William Anderson

Grades 9-12:

First Place: Vylette Hill’s “Peach Grove”
Second Place: Khloe Warren’s “My Favorite Place was You”
Third Place: Krystal Giron’s “Where I Belong”
Honorable Mention: (Tie) Monty Green and Serenity Gosnel

Winning poems will be published in an online chapbook in mid-June. Congratulations to all our winners.

2025 "Write Where You Are" Poetry Contest Winners

The National Writing Project at �� is pleased to announce the winners of the annual Write Where You Are Poetry Contest. Thanks to all the writers for the wonderful poetry entries, and congratulations to our winners.

Grades K-2

First Place: "Lovely Lake Erie" by Grady Precurato, Austintown Elementary
Second Place: "Spectacular Strong Scrappers" by Lucan Anderson, Austintown Elementary
Third Place: "Magical Millcreek Park" by Stormie Risen, Austintown Elementary
Honorable Mention: "My Relaxing Bedroom" by Kyesyn Powe, Austintown Elementary

Grades 3-5

No entries received

Grades 6-8

First Place: "Hubbard Road" by Arden Keller, Kenston Middle School (Bainbridge)
Second Place: "Enough for Me" by Ayla Barnes, Lake Center Christian School (Hartville)
Third Place: "A Rose" by Jasmine Gertsma, Berea Midpark Middle School
Honorable Mention: "Panic" by Harlem Owens, TRECA Digital Academy

Grades 9-12

First Place: "The Old Playset" by Ashley Rhee, Solon High School
Second Place: "Rhythm Room" by Thomas Ksiazka, Independence High School
Third Place: "Disconnected" by Sabrina George, Independence High School
Honorable Mention: "Abecedarian" by Tae Smith, John Adams College and Career (Cleveland)
Honorable Mention: "Bittersweet Silence" by Katelyn Shafer, TRECA Digital Academy
Honorable Mention: "The Vault of Memories" by Jacob Butcher, Independence High School

2024 "Write Where You Are" Poetry Contest Winners

Grades K-2

First Place: Aleena Ali, Austintown Elementary School
Second Place: Rylee Reardon, Austintown Elementary School
Third Place: Raelynn Watson, Austintown Elementary School
Honorable Mention: Gavin Lapushansky, Austintown Elementary School

Grades 3-5

First Place: Ryland Koch, Austintown Intermediate School
Second Place: Sophia Perline, Austintown Intermediate School
Third Place: River Barrette, Austintown Intermediate School
Honorable Mention: Lila Smith, Austintown Intermediate School

Grades 6-8

First Place: Shana Painter, North Ridgeville Academic Center
Second Place: Ayla Barnes, Lake Center Christian School
Third Place: Avery Schuster, North Ridgeville Academic Center
Honorable Mention: Elliot Gionfriddo, North Ridgeville Academic Center
Honorable Mention: Marynn Lacey, Nordonia Middle School

Grades 9-12

First Place: Lark Oehler, Medina High School
Second Place: Isabella Liu, Solon High School
Third Place: Ashley Todt, Independence High School
Honorable Mention: Leah Medley, Medina High School
Honorable Mention: Reese Patton, Revere High School

2023 "Write Where You Are" Poetry Contest Winners

Grades K-2

First Place: Jude Wesley Hilbert for “Tennessee Travels”
Second Place: Avery Bohr for “Camelot Lanes”
Third Place: Grant Robert White for “My Tiny Closet”

Grades 3-5

First Place: Keilana Miller for “The South Haven Sunset”
Second Place: Sadie Lender for “My Swing on a Summer Day"
Third Place: Reagan White for “My Home Away from Home”

Grades 6-8

First Place: Callista Rountree for “Where Are You?”
Second Place: Aleksandra Rosenblum for “Grandpa’s Living Room”
Third Place: De’Andrea Miller for “In This World"

Grades 9-12

First Place: Eleanor Kristan for “An Endless Sea”
Second Place: Evan May for “The Field Behind My Home”
Third Place: Diego Coutino Granados for “Concrete Embrace”

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