CLEARFIELD – The Joseph & Elizabeth Shaw Public Library in Clearfield will go forward with its poetry contest as planned.
Celebrating April as National Poetry Month, the library staff had sent information to the schools in their service area encouraging their participation.
With schools closed indefinitely, the students are now doing online learning, and the staff hope that more students will have the time to pen a poem.
“Poetry is known to improve cognitive function, heal emotional pain, create a greater sense of awareness and provide inspiration to others,” according to Library Director Lisa Coval.
The contest is open to the following grade groupings: first – second, third – fourth, fifth – sixth, seventh – ninth and 10th – 12th.
Entries must be submitted to the library by April 30. They must have a cover sheet that includes the student’s name, grade, school and home address.
Participants are encouraged to type their entry, but it is not required. Poems can be in various styles such as sonnets, haiku, limericks, free verse, etc.
Entries can be mailed to the library at 1 S. Front St., Clearfield, PA 16830 or e-mailed to lcoval@shawlibrary.org.
A panel of judges will select three finalists in each age group along with a few honorable mentions. The finalists will be notified by mail and invited to attend a reception at a date to be announced.
Finalists are encouraged to read their poems at the reception. Awards will be given at this time. Educators are welcome to attend and support their students.
Last year, the library received 287 entries from seven local schools including home school programs. This year the event is being sponsored by the Clearfield Woman’s Club.