poetry contest

Carl Sandburg Home U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site 2009 Poetry Contest Lincoln? He was a mystery in smoke and flags Saying yes to the smoke, yes to the flags, Yes to the paradoxes of democracy, Yes to the hopes of government Of the people by the people for the people, Yes to the Constitution when a help, No to the Constitution when a hindrance... Lincoln? Was he a poet? And did he write verses? “I have not willingly planted a thorn in any man’s bosom.” “I shall do nothing through malice: what I deal with is too vast for malice.” Death was in the air. So was birth. Carl Sandburg - The People, Yes In celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday, February 12, 1809-2009, and in honor of Carl Sandburg’s Pulitzer Prize Winning Biography and Poetry about Abraham Lincoln, this year’s poetry contest asks students to write a poem about Abraham Lincoln. • • • • Submissions accepted from grades 3-12 beginning January 19, 2009. Poems must be received by February 27, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. Winners will be notified by mail by March 20, 2009. Reception to be held on Friday, April 3, at 7:00 p.m. at the Henderson County Public Library, Hendersonville, NC. Official 2009 Contest Rules Submission Rules Poetry is accepted from 3-5th, 6-8th and 9-12th grades only. Submissions are accepted only if routed through a classroom teacher; homeschool teachers included. A maximum of three poems per class (each from a different student) can be entered into the contest. Include: Name of poet, school name, grade, and teacher’s name on the back of the poem. Poems will be DISQUALIFIED otherwise. Submissions must be accompanied by a signed release form that gives permission for poems to be displayed, printed on the park website, and possibly published in the newspaper. Submissions must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2009. Poem Characteristics Poem can be written in any style, but must not exceed one-page in length. Poem will be judged on its ability to communicate the theme. In celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday, February 12, 1809-2009, and in honor of Carl Sandburg’s Pulitzer Prize Winning Biography and Poetry about Abraham Lincoln, the theme for 2009 is Abraham Lincoln. Judges from the literary community will make the decision for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place within each grade category. Visitors to Carl Sandburg Home NHS during the weeks of March 2-March 14 can cast a vote for the best poem within each grade category; poems with the most votes at the end of the voting period will win a People’s Choice award. Winners will be notified by Friday, March 20 and will be invited to present their winning poem at a special reception Friday, April 3, 2008 at the Henderson County Public Library. Help Celebrate Poetry Teachers are encouraged to create a classroom poetry binder to display the poems of all students’ poetry creations. These will be admired by park visitors during the Poetry Contest and National Poetry Month. This is NOT part of the contest; it is meant to be a celebration of every student’s endeavors creating poetry. All poems and binders can be picked up at the park after April 30, 2008; they will not be returned via mail. Poetry Support The 2008 Poetry Contest is a result of tremendous community support : the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara through a grassroots grant awarded from the Henderson County Arts Council; the generous donation of time by professional poets arranged through the North Carolina Poetry Society to judge the entries, contribution of venue from the Henderson County Public Library; teachers, students, parents and other supporters of poetry. Thank you. Sending Submissions Poetry Contest Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site 81 Carl Sandburg Lane Flat Rock, North Carolina 28731 Attention: Sarah Perschall For questions: 828/ 693-4178 or email at Carl_Administration@nps.gov Carl Sandburg Home Poetry Contest Release Form National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site I ________________________________ give my permission for Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site (parent’s or guardian’s name) to display at Carl Sandburg Home NHS and/or the Henderson County Library the poem submitted by ____________________________. (student’s name) In the event her/his poem entitled___________________________________________ is selected to be awarded 1st, 2nd, 3rd place or People’s Choice in the Carl Sandburg Home NHS Poetry Contest, I also give my permission to have the poem and possibly a photograph of my child published in the newspaper or in another such publication, including the park website. ____________________________________ Parent’s signature _____________________________ Date ___________________________________________ Student’s signature ___________________________________ Teacher’s signature Carl Sandburg Home Poetry Contest Release Form National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site I ________________________________ give my permission for Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site (parent’s or guardian’s name) to display at Carl Sandburg Home NHS and/or the Henderson County Library the poem submitted by ____________________________. (student’s name) In the event her/his poem entitled___________________________________________ is selected to be awarded 1st, 2nd, 3rd place or People’s Choice in the Carl Sandburg Home NHS Poetry Contest, I also give my permission to have the poem and possibly a photograph of my child published in the newspaper or in another such publication, including the park website. ____________________________________ Parent’s signature _____________________________ Date ___________________________________________ Student’s signature ___________________________________ Teacher’s signature