Read last year’s winners here, and prepare your own entry by March 10 

LIBERAL, Kan.  — Winners of the 2020 Seward County Community College annual poetry contest represented a vibrant variety of voices from the region who were invited to read their winning poems at an online open mic event in April 2020. Also in April, as the pandemic started, a digital gallery on the SCCC website posted an interview with Huascar Medina, the Kansas poet laureate, and creative works from the students as a new way to share their talents 

“We look forward to receiving entries from across the region again this spring,” said English instructor Dr. Lori Muntz. “The poems offer snapshots of daily life that connect meaningfully with readers. It is a joy to receive these writings.”

As the 2021 contest opens for entries, the previous year’s work provides a glimpse into the writing community. Winners from the 2020 competition included:  

• Open category (anyone 18 years of age or older.)

1st Place, “Roads,” by Angela Eylar

2nd Place, “Puppies,” by Angela Eylar

3rd Place, “Neurons Connected,” by Ty Hughbanks

Honorable Mention, “Oh Thou Hexagon,” by Ty Hughbanks

• High School Junior/Senior Category (any junior or senior enrolled in a public or private high school or home school program)

1st Place, “Who Are You?” by Tyann Weis

2nd Place, “Handicapped,” by Jennifer Johnson

3rd Place, “The Artist,” by Erika Barron

Honorable Mention, “How Do I Do It?” by Tyann Weis

The Junior/Senior Scholarship poets listed above are from Ulysses High School, Ulysses, Kansas.

• Young Poets Category (any student enrolled in a public or private school or home school program in grades 6-10)

1st Place, “Happy Poem,” by Lola Hart

2nd Place, “The World Is Still Beautiful,” by Alondra Becciril

3rd Place, “The Shadows,” by Caydene Emiliee Butler

Honorable Mention, “The Girl Next Door,” by Madison White

Honorable Mention, “Adoption,” by Brooklyn Kile

The Young Poets above are from Perryton Junior High, Perryton, Texas.

A copy of the winners’ work may be viewed via this link: 2020 Poetry Contest Winners.

All entries for the 2021 contest must be submitted before midnight, March 10, 2021, on the SCCC online form, which can be accessed via this link.   A blind process with an outside judge will be used to determine winners, who will be notified by email on or before April 1.

SCCC’s annual poetry contest is a long-standing tradition connected to the humanities division’s annual poetry coffeehouse. As currently planned, the Spring 2021 winners will be invited to a livestream event with the option to read their winning poems in-person at the SCCC campus or online by Zoom.

Muntz also explained, “This year the contest is using a fully online entry process. When an entry is successful, a confirmation email is sent automatically to the email address provided by the entrant. If anyone has trouble making an entry, please contact me at lori.muntz@sccc.edu or (620) 417-1456.”

Look for more information about these literary opportunities and event updates on the humanities division web page and Facebook account: SCCC Humanities Division.

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Categories: Awards & Honors, Humanities Division