Poetry Competition Guidelines
Theme:
"Change We Can Believe, Change We Must Achieve"
Qualifying Levels

Level 1
K - 3 Grade

Level 2
4 - 5 Grade

Level 3
6 - 8 Grade

Level 4
9 – 12 Grade
Time Restrictions 1-3 minutes 3-5 minutes 5-7 minutes 7-9 minutes
Guidelines

 

  • All entries must be the original work of the student
  • Poem must be no longer than 40 lines in length
  • All entries must be reflective of the theme.
  • No entries will be accepted that contain profanity, language that is discriminatory (based on race, religion, creed, nationality or gender.
  • The students name should be placed on the cover sheet and should not appear any place on the poem itself.
  • All entries should be typed in Times New Roman font, 12 point font size.
  • Plagiarism is considered fraud; any contestant found submitting a poem they did not write themselves will be disqualified.
  • The Judges may disqualify any entry at any time for failing to comply with contest rules.
   
Considerations: 1) Teachers should consider subject matter in relation to the theme, creativity, and originality in making selections for entries
   
Deadline: Friday, January 13, 2011
   
Mail to: MLKCC Essay Dept., Attn: Edith C. Bush
1444 8th Street
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
   
Application: Appendix 1 MS Word File download Adobe PDF download
   
Competition Date/Location

The Poetry Competition will take place on January 16, 2010 at Roosevelt Elementary School – 1220 15th Street, West Palm Beach, FL
     Opening Ceremony – 9:00 am                   Competition Begins – 9:15 am
   
Judging: A panel of seven judges will review all entries. Work will be judged on the basis of creativity, originality.  Winning entrants will be notified upon completion of the judging.  The winning poetry will be on display at the Annual MLKCC Breakfast, January 18, 2011.
   
Honoray Judges In the event of a tie, the tie will be broken by the Honorary Judges
   
Activities

First, Second and Third place winners in each division may be asked to participate in some of the following:

  • MLK Kick-Off Reception, Friday January 7, 2011
  • Candlelight Service, Friday January 8, 2011
  • Interfaith Worship Service, Friday January 14, 2011
  • Oratorical Program, Saturday January 15, 2011
  • Performing Arts Program, Saturday January 15, 2011
  • MLK Breakfast, Monday January 17, 2011
  • MLK Health & Safety Fair
   
Awards: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards will be given at each level.  Certificates will be given to all entrants, regardless of their placement.
   
Return of Poetry Entrants should make a copy of their Poetry before submitting it for judging.  All speeches become the property of MLKCC.
   
Resume: The poets resume and photo should be available upon request.

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