2014 Winners
CATEGORY 1 WINNERS (72 entries)
FIRST PLACE - “Poetry for the Poisonous” by Daniela Quintero, Canada
Daniela has won a signed paperback copy of Polly Wants to Be a Writer.
READ Daniela’s winning poem
“I wish to thank Laura Thomas for giving youth the privilege to participate in a massive way so our voices could be heard in such an awesome and creative outlet that is poetry. This poetry contest was a humbling experience and winning meant gratitude. I am grateful for having this gift and play with words, something that I pray will remain with me for all eternity, not just for the main outcome of winning but for sharing my own experiences with the greater global community.” – Daniela
SECOND PLACE - “We are cities” by Zarat Queen, England
Zarat has won a $10 CAD Amazon gift card.
“It is an honor for me to finish in the top 8! To be recognised for my poem among other talented young poets is like a dream come true. As ironic as that might seem, I don’t have the words to express what I feel right now. I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I say that this achievement has given me new inspiration.” – Zarat
THIRD PLACE - “Hey, It’s Been a While” by Rowan E. Foley, USA
Rowan has won a $10 CAD Amazon gift card.
“Placing in the top eight in this contest will be the first time I have ever placed in a poetry contest. I feel validated. I feel proud. I feel shocked. Poetry has been something that I do for myself, and I am honored that my words have resonated with others. Placing in this contest has given me the confidence I needed to continue writing and entering in contests. I want to thank LTC for the opportunity to share my work through the contest.” – Rowan
FOURTH PLACE – “Butterflies” by Sherry Yuan, Canada
Sherry has won a $10 CAD Amazon gift card.
“As a first year student considering computer science, the assignment might be the last piece of fiction I ever have to work hard on. But looking at the email, maybe there’s more to writing than just a hobby because for the contest, I had to edit, to find the right words, to edit some more. Being a top finisher means that I successfully pushed the limits of my writing skills, and that I now know there is something to be gained in doing so. It means that I’ll continue to write and at least try to do it well, and see where it goes from here.” – Sherry
FIFTH PLACE - “The Hug Outside the Hotel” by Lucy Costello, Ireland
Lucy has won a $10 CAD coupon for the LTC store.
“This poem is very special to me as it records the memory of an event which will probably never happen again. When I reread this poem, the hug comes alive again for a few minutes in my mind, an old fossil coming to life. I am so glad that my poem placed fifth in the competition and that I captured the memory in such a way that it was enjoyable to read.” – Lucy
SIXTH PLACE - “All Can Be Said” by Dana Hufe, USA
Dana has won a $10 CAD coupon for the LTC store.
“I knew since second grade that I wanted to do something related to creative writing, whether that be creating poems, short stories, novels, etc. Placing in this contest out of the 72 entries inspires me to harness my talent and keep writing. As Rumi says, ‘Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.'” – Dana
SEVENTH PLACE – “Dirty Fingertips” by Mishaela Hammond, USA
EIGHTH PLACE - “A Metaphor” by Ashleigh Mounser, Australia
Ashleigh has won a $10 CAD coupon for the LTC store.
“Thanks so much for this opportunity.” – Ashleigh
CATEGORY 2 WINNERS (167 entries)
FIRST PLACE – “Mood Lighting” by Nicole Kroushl, USA
For her prize Nicole has chosen an LTC Insider Plus+ Membership as a prize.
READ Nicole’s winning poem
“I am honored to have won this contest, not for the prizes or for the recognition, but for the confidence it has given me in my work and for the hope it has given me for future publication endeavors.” – Nicole
SECOND PLACE – “A Cheerful Poem” by Grace Jarvis, Australia
Grace has won a $10 CAD Amazon gift card.
“I am honoured to have achieved 2nd place in this competition. I has given me new confidence in my poetry and my writing.” – Grace
THIRD PLACE – “At the Post Office” by Ji Min Kang, Hong Kong
Ji Min has won a $10 CAD Amazon gift card.
“I’ve always loved to write, but the publication of my writing has always been limited to in-school magazines or self-published pieces online. Although this localized presence has been great, there’s a kind of magic in knowing that your personal origami of words is being appreciated by someone far, far away from where you are.” – Ji Min
FOURTH PLACE – “The Squirrel and the Nut” by Janine Faust, USA
Janine has won a $10 CAD Amazon gift card.
“I feel honored to be in the top eight. This is the fourth time I’ve placed in a poetry contest, and it was a fun one to compete in. I love entering writing contests because they are beneficial to young writers. Where else can we exercise our skills and compete against individuals our age and with the same interests?” – Janine
FIFTH PLACE – “Humiliation” by Louisa Davidson, Australia
Lousia has won a $10 CAD coupon to spend in the LTC store.
“Being in the top 8 has given me great confidence in my work and the courage to continue writing.” – Louisa
SIXTH PLACE – “Wrists” by Kailey Albritton, USA
Kailey has won a $10 CAD coupon to spend in the LTC store.
“Placing in the top 8 opens up a whole world of opportunities for up-and-coming writers such as myself. I am incredibly thankful and blessed to have placed and am excited to see what the future holds for my writing because of this contest.” – Kailey
SEVENTH PLACE – “Drowning” by Bethany Wood, England
Bethany has won a $10 CAD coupon to spend in the LTC store.
“It is hard to judge when writing poetry to know how it will come across to others, and therefore this success has given me the confidence to believe in my own writing skills. I hope that young people will continue writing poetry to let their opinions and thoughts be heard, and I thank Laura for running this competition. Also, congratulations to all the other winners and entrants for without you their is no competition!” – Bethany
EIGHTH PLACE – “Into Winter” by Lauren Davidson, Australia
CATEGORY 3 WINNERS (120 entries)
FIRST PLACE - “Polaris” by Izzah Khairi, Canada
For a prize, Izzah has chosen a signed paperback copy of Polly Wants to Be a Writer.
READ Izzah’s winning poem
“The first time I submitted an entry to a Laura Thomas Communications contest, I didn’t achieve a placing– not even an honourable mention; the second time I submitted my work, I managed to receive third place; and now, winning first, it’s such a euphoric feeling. The competition helped me grow as a writer, and I hope to continue participating in it.” – Izzah
SECOND PLACE - “Pencil” by Sadie Malmberg, Canada
Sadie has chosen to accept a $15 CAD coupon for the LTC store as her prize.
“Being a top eight finisher in this contest tells me that I am actually not a very bad writer. It also gives me a chance to test my writing skills.” – Sadie
THIRD PLACE – “Roads of Childhood” by Meghna Chatterjee, India
Meghna has chosen to receive a $10 CAD coupon for the LTC store which she used to purchase the feedback option.
“I was very young when I turned creative writing as an outlet to let my emotions free. It was only recently that I pursued writing poetry. This is my very first poetry submission in a contest, and I am overjoyed and overwhelmed to be awarded with the honour of coming third. It encouraged me to not give up on my pursuit to hone my literary skills and become a writer.” – Meghna
FOURTH PLACE – “Wildfire” by Anastasia Beer, Canada
Anastasia has won a $10 CAD gift certificate for Amazon.
“This is my first time entering a poetry contest, so I was more than a little surprised when I saw that my entry had made it to the finals! And being in the top 8 finishers in a contest that was this big, it made me think that my dream job of being an author can really work out.” – Anastasia
FIFTH PLACE – “Tender-age Gold” by Patrick Dinmore, USA
Patrick has declined his prize saying, “The recognition was more than enough and will certainly help me in the future with college and other endeavors!”
“Having been a finalist last year, I was motivated to enter the Junior Authors Poetry Contest again! For me, a poem starts with a solid concept or strong title, and once you do that, the metaphor that you encase the concept in, follows quite easily. My grandmother’s candy jar kept entering my mind and that’s how my poem was born! I owe this great success and recognition to my late grandmother, without whom I would not have found my inspiration for this poem! Thank you Ms. Thomas for recognizing me and my writing.” – Patrick
SIXTH PLACE – “Climbing” by Christina Garvis, USA
Christina has won a $10 CAD coupon for the LTC store.
“I didn’t expect to be a finalist in this contest, much less a winner, so I was so surprised when I found out I placed. This contest has given me much more confidence in my writing and in myself. It’s such an amazing experience for me; thank you for this honor. It’s one thing for friends and family to appreciate your poems, it’s another for people you don’t know to like them as well.” – Christina
SEVENTH PLACE – “Like a Bird” by Zoe May, Australia
EIGTH PLACE – “The Great Clown Depression” by Nadia Zywina, Canada
Nadia has won a $10 CAD coupon to spend in the LTC store.
“Placing in the top 8 honestly means a lot to me. Some people may not think so because, well it’s 8th place. In all truth, it makes me feel like my poem means something and that the effort of staying up past 12 a.m. just to complete a poetry assignment was worth something. I guess…it tells me that my writing skills aren’t hopeless.” – Nadia
CATEGORY 4 WINNERS (30 entries)
FIRST PLACE – “The Insult” by Anya Ambarish, USA
Anya has chosen to receive and LTC Insider Plus+ Membership as her prize.
READ Anya’s winning poem
“I am so excited to win this competition. I have only recently begun writing poetry, and it’s a great feeling to know that I’m on the right track. This win has motivated me even more to write.” – Anya
SECOND PLACE – “Sky Full of Scales” by Ethan Rhys Wild, Scotland
Ethan has chosen a $15 CAD coupon to spend in the LTC store.
“The waiting part is always the worst in any competition, and I was certainly very apprehensive when I entered, knowing that I couldn’t do any more towards my poem. I am honoured to even be a part of this competition, but to place second… Well, I don’t have the words.” – Ethan
THIRD PLACE – “Far From Perfect” by Salma Danuningrat, Indonesia
Salma has won a $10 CAD Amazon gift certificate.
“Being a top 8 finisher has proven to me that just because you have a different writing style than someone else, doesn’t mean your writing is bad. This contest has taught me to be proud of your writing style, because the more unique it is, the better.” – Salma
FOURTH PLACE – “Bold and Bright” by Jessica Schramm, USA
Jessica has won a $10 CAD gift certificate for Amazon.
“Finishing in 4th place in this competition means so much to me. I love to write poems and short stories and it was so exciting to know that my writing is enjoyed by others.” – Jessica
FIFTH PLACE – “Music Class” by Ilyas Yahya Ngu Sook-An, Malaysia
Ilyas has won a $10 CAD coupon for the LTC store.
“It is a wonderful surprise to be in the top 8. I’m truly happy. Thank you so much. I will write and write.” – Ilyas
SIXTH PLACE – “Bubble Gum Blowing” by Stephanie Gordon, Australia
Stephanie has won a $10 CAD coupon for the LTC store.
“I really love writing poems, and I never thought I would make it this far in the competition. I entered it truly for experience, but now this has motivated me to enter more competitions. I’m really grateful for 6th place, and it has boosted my confidence in my poetry.” – Stephanie
SEVENTH PLACE – “The First Snowflake” by Kristen Adams, USA
EIGHTH PLACE – “The Final Goodbye” by Arushi Bhatnagar, New Zealand
Arushi received a $10 CAD coupon to spend in the LTC store.
“When I first saw my name in the finalist list, I was really very excited because I had never entered in a poetry competition before. I had written this poem in memory of my dad who passed away over a year ago. I am very grateful to Laura Thomas and her team for giving me this opportunity to share my thoughts and memories with the world.” – Arushi
HONOURABLE MENTION – “Our Friendship” by Aarya Sanyog Butolia, India
Aarya has accepted a $5 CAD coupon to spend in the LTC store.
“I am honored. This has given me new inspiration. Thank your for everything.” – Aarya
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Important Dates
March 27th – Last day to purchase feedback option – BUY NOW
March 1st to 31st – Feedback will be returned & prizes and certificates will be sent out (prize winners and finalists will receive certificates of achievement)
READ: Judging Poetry and Short Stories: It’s Easy and Not Easy
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CATEGORY 1 FINALISTS – AGES 18 to 21
Listed in alphabetical order by title. They are not listed by score or rank. There were 72 entries in this category.
“All Can Be Said” by Dana Hufe, USA
“A Metaphor” by Ashleigh Mounser, Australia
“A Stranger in Her Own Land” by Denisa Vitova, Switzerland
“Butterflies” by Sherry Yuan, Canada
“Chaotic Silence” by Megan Ellenberger, USA
“Dirty Fingertips” by Mishaela Hammond, USA
“Hey, It’s Been a While” by Rowan E. Foley, USA
“Night in Dear Africa” by Wale Owoade, Nigeria
“Once Upon a Time” by Ashley Kho Jia Yik, Malaysia
“Poetry for the Poisonous” by Daniela Quintero, Canada
“The Big Issue” by Madeline Boulton, England
“The Hug Outside the Hotel” by Lucy Costello, Ireland
“The Rain” by Hannah Froggatt, England
“We are cities” by Zarat Queen, England
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CATEGORY 2 FINALISTS – AGES 15 to 17
Listed in alphabetical order by title. They are not listed by score or rank. There were 167 entries in this category.
“A Cheerful Poem” by Grace Jarvis, Australia
“As I Melt, I Change Once More” by Allison Wehrle, USA
“At the Post Office” by Ji Min Kang, Hong Kong
“Candid” by Sana Hameed, USA
“Chinese New Year” by Sarah Ang, Singapore
“Chosen” by Jessica Harris, England
“Cracked Screen” by Becca Ilic, USA
“Drowning” by Bethany Wood, England
“Excision” by Robert Ferguson, Australia
“For the Snails” by Emily Hughes, USA
“Fuse” by Samantha Scott, USA
“Humiliation” by Louisa Davidson, Australia
“I Could Tell You” by Alixa Brobbey, The Netherlands
“Into Winter” by Lauren Davidson, Australia
“Judgement” by Isobel Flower, England
“Mood Lighting” by Nicole Kroushl, USA
“My Friend” by Nivedita Patel, India
“Pessimist and Optimist” by Courtney Cook, USA
“Red, Black ’n’ Blue” by Susan Xia, Canada
“Remembering Summer” by Vanessa Jewell Medeiros, Canada
“Shouts From the Closet” by Callum Smith, UK
“Suburban Dreaming” by Saraid Taylor, Australia
“The Betrayal of Color” by Maya Kanani, USA
“The Shadow That Was Me” by Rida Rangoonwala, USA
“The Squirrel and the Nut” by Janine Faust, USA
“The Third Daughter” by Alexandra Spensley, USA
“To Anxiety” by Maria Lorraine G. Sajorda, Philippines
“Wrists” by Kailey Albritton, USA
“You and Me” by Amanda Lee Wible, USA
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CATEGORY 3 FINALISTS – AGES 12 to 14
Listed in alphabetical order by title. They are not listed by score or rank. There were 120 entries in this category.
“A Shark” by Max Shanahan, Australia
“Back in my Youth” by Georgie-Tennessee Bond, England
“Bedtime” by Hana Buss, USA
“Broken by Society” by Heather Wilson, England
“Climbing” by Christina Garvis, USA
“Feeding Politicians” by Sharnee Rawson, Australia
“In This House” by Mai Hoang Ngoc Xuan, Vietnam
“Like a Bird” by Zoe May, Australia
“Love and Separation” by Jana Maslakovic, Serbia
“Monsters in Your Mind” by Ng Hai Ning, Singapore
“Pencil” by Sadie Malmberg, Canada
“Polaris” by Izzah Khairi, Canada
“Roads of Childhood” by Meghna Chatterjee, India
“Seen and Heard” by Jaslyn Thienbunlertrat, Canada
“Silk Sand” by India Mae Austin, Australia
“Tender-age Gold” by Patrick Dinmore, USA
“The Agenda” by Shereen Lee, Taiwan
“The Door to Worlds” by Syeda Mahnoor Raza, Pakistan
“The Great Clown Depression” by Nadia Zywina, Canada
“The Magic That Gave Me Hope” by Solaine Zhao, USA
“The Reality of Today” by Leanne Thai, Australia
“The School” by Caitlin Carrick, Canada
“The Simple Photo” by Margaux Games, USA
“Winter’s Grasp” by Luke Bradshaw Poier, Australia
“Wildfire” by Anastasia Beer, Canada
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CATEGORY 4 FINALISTS – AGES 9 to 11
Listed in alphabetical order by title. They are not listed by score or rank. There were 30 entries in this category.
“Bold and Bright” by Jessica Schramm, USA
“Bubble Gum” Blowing” by Stephanie Gordon, Australia
“Far From Perfect” by Salma Danuningrat, Indonesia
“Music Class” by Ilyas Yahya Ngu Sook-An, Malaysia
“Our Friendship” by Aarya Sanyog Butolia, India
“Sky Full of Scales” by Ethan Rhys Wild, Scotland
“The Final Goodbye” by Arushi Bhatnagar, New Zealand
“The First Snowflake” by Kristen Adams, USA
“The Insult” by Anya Ambarish, USA
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The prize winners will be announced here on February 27th
Hi Laura,
I’m just wondering when the winners poems will be posted?
Thanks.
Hi Josh. This week.
The finalists are to receive certificates, right?
Hi Mahnoor. Yes.
Hi, I was just wondering, when can the certificates for the finalists be expected? Just curious
Hi Syeda. I just checked, and I emailed your certificate to you on April 1st. Check your spam folder and if it’s not there, please email me.
Oh! I think I might have missed it the first time. Thanks for sending it again
Congrats to all the winners!
When will the winners be posted. Cause when I looked at this page 2 days ago it said they were being announced at 9:00 am on this very day. Thanks a bunch!
Hi Caitlin. I’m working on it now…shouldn’t be long. You can’t rush this!