wcaty

Harlan O. Roberson Poetry Award
& Hemispheres (a publication of student work)

Students currently in grades 7-12,
and all STEP and ALP winners
from throughout Wisconsin
Poems must be postmarked by August 22, 2008

The Harlan O. Roberson Poetry Award is a competition administered by the Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth, Inc. (WCATY) and made possible through a gift from Linda Roberson in memory of her father, Harlan O. Roberson. WCATY partners with the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters on the Poetry Competition. The Academy's mission is to ''educate and encourage a thoughtful citizenry to better evaluate controversial topics and to promote communication among participants and general public.''

Recognition is provided through award certificates, prizes, and the opportunity for publication of the award-winning poems in WCATY's annual Hemispheres, a compilation of WCATY students' work. Winners will receive their awards at the annual Hemispheres release party in January.

All WCATY students are eligible to submit entries for Hemispheres. To submit work to Hemispheres, WCATY students should e-mail their work to info@wcaty.org with "Hemisphere Submission" in the subject line.

Poems do not need to follow a particular theme to qualify. Any subject matter is welcomed and any style of poetry is acceptable.

In the past, judges have looked favorably on poems that pull the reader into them, using imaginative imagery and rich descriptions to present a full feel for the subject matter. The more the reader can embrace the emotions, locations or objects being described, the more powerful the poem.

Poetry Competition Rules:

1. Poems may address any theme.

2. Poems cannot have been published prior to this competition.

3. A student may not submit more than two poems for consideration.

4. Poem length cannot be longer than 65 lines.

5. Entries must be original, wholly conceived and written by student.

How to Submit a Poem:

1. Submit two copies of each poem in addition to the original (manuscripts will not be returned).

2. Include a cover sheet with your name, home address, phone number(s), and a brief biography providing your age, grade, school, and one or two sentences about your interest in writing. Also include the name and address of your local newspaper.

3. Manuscripts must be typed, word-processed, or neatly printed in blue or black ink.

4. Each poem should have a title or should be labeled ''untitled.''

5. Include a stamped, self-addressed postcard if you wish to have verification of the receipt of your entry.

6. Incomplete entries will not be processed.

Entries must be mailed to:
WCATY: Poetry Award
433 West Washington Avenue
Madison, WI 53703

Questions? Contact the WCATY office at: 608-271-1617 or email: info@wcaty.org

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