As poets, it is always a great honor to be published and to win contests. Knowing that your words are meaningful to others is a great and powerful gift. This past spring marked the 40th annual Kent County Poetry Contest. The contest has three divisions based on educational level and age, and is judged using high standards. The winners are given the opportunity to read their poems at Festival. In addition, the winners of the student division of the contest get their poem along with the judges’ comments published in Voices, the literary publication of the Kent County Poetry Contest.
These winning poems stood out among thousands of entries and won over the judges:
The First-place winner of the Junior Division, Jennifer Kurth, was a 6th grader in the spring of 2008, and attends a parochial school. Jennifer shared her favorite aspect of writing in reference to her poem “Lake Charlevoix,” about her vacation there. Jennifer said, “All I have to do is read what I wrote and all those feelings and views come back to my mind.”
In this way, poetry allows her to capture memories and share them with appreciative audiences. Although she admits to having felt nervous at the reading, Jennifer enjoyed reading her poems because everyone concentrated on her words and really listened to what she was saying. One way she thinks of lines for her poetry is in the moment that something occurs. If she is unable to come up with a line on the spot, she visualizes the situation, “stores a picture in her mind,” in order to write about it later.
Second-place winner Hannah Geluso was an 8th grader at Immanuel-St. James Lutheran School at the time of the contest. Hannah enjoyed sharing her poem “Batter” on the day of the reading. She likes to focus her poems on experiences, as she tries to get specific details other people may not notice. She usually puts her work into three or four drafts before it is finished.
There is no limit to what can happen when you sit down to write a poem. This freedom is what third place winner, Patricia Schlutt, enjoys most about writing. Patricia, an 8th grader at Crossroads Middle School in the spring, captured her prize with a poem called “Summers.”
“I write poetry because it’s a creative way to express myself.” She also says that it is nice to know that others find interest in what she has expressed in writing. She uses free writings to spur on a good line, and that line becomes the basis of her poem.
Jessica Swanson won the honorable mention for her poem titled “Wake Up”. She was very excited to share her poems with others and was glad to be a part of the contest.
Amy Wolner, this year's first place winner in the Student Division (for college and high school students), had never attended a reading before. Her poem "Francis" is about a family friend. "I found it interesting thinking about how rare for a poem to be read by the voice of the creator." At first, writing ideas for Amy were sparked when thinking about memories while busy at work. She would write down her thoughts from the day. She first puts ideas together in her mind, and later writes them down into poems. Amy believes in the respect of all writers. "Writing is personal—it is people sharing their thoughts, their life with the reader.
Neil Kaufman won second place in the Student division for his poem “crux.” Neil is well-experienced with sharing his poetry with audiences. He has also practiced at many open mic nights and even hosts one at Barnes and Nobles in Grand Rapids on 28th Street. Neil feels that each line of a poem is important, but believes that the last line should be especially significant.
This year’s Third-place winner was Jodi Hovey for her poem “Laundry.” Jodi has read many of her poems to audiences and finds the constructive criticism a beneficial part of the sharing her work. She feels that without having a method of writing, “The poem writes you.” Many of Jodi’s poems are nature-oriented. She finds poetry to be a way to connect with nature and change her perspective. For all poets, including Jodi, the ability to write about an idea in a new way can be difficult. “I am constantly trying to talk to new people, get in touch with ideas other than my own. When I write, it not only clears my head, but it opens my mind to new experiences, new ways of viewing the world and all that happens in it.”
Rachel McGuiness holds the honorable mention for her poem “The Sweater Incident.” She believes that the emotion she displayed is for the reader to define. Writing is a way for her to relax and share things that she might not normally just say, but can express through writing.
The winners in this year’s contest varied in their technique and writing styles. Poetry allowed these winning writers the opportunity to share experiences and ideas. They captured a piece of themselves in their writing, a task in which they should feel greatly rewarded.
By Leah Niemchick and Kara Talen
Works by Jennifer Kurth
Works by Jessica Swanson
| Wake Up | Poem |
| Blue Wool Blanket | Poem |
| Haiku | Poem |
Works by Neil N. Kaufman
| mourning | Poem |
| Eucharist Moon | Poem |