The deadline for the contest is June 1, and the contest is open to all Fayette County high school students, grades 9 through 12.

The theme of the contest, sponsored by the Fayette County Historical Society and the Juneteenth Youth Poetry Committee, is “Hope for a Brighter Tomorrow.”

Contest information is below:

Eligibility:

Contest is open to all Fayette County high school students, grades 9 through 12. Minors must have their parent’s or legal guardian’s permission to enter.

Awards:

First, second, and third place winners will be recognized at the Juneteenth Celebration on June 19, 2023 at 12:00 noon on the Fayetteville Courthouse lawn. Families are invited to attend. Cash prizes will be awarded: 1st Place $100, 2nd Place $75, and 3rd Place $50.

Entry Guidelines:

• Poems will explore the theme “Hope For a Brighter Tomorrow.”

• Only one poem per student will be accepted.

• Only original work (without the aid of artificial intelligence) will be considered and cannot contain previously published and/or copyrighted material in any part by any 3rd party.

• The poem may not be offensive or inappropriate.

• The poem may not be longer than 30 lines.

• Poems must be printed in an easy-to-read, non-italic, black font that is 12 points or larger.  Entrants share with Fayette County Juneteenth Planning Committee the rights to print and publish submitted poems.

• Entries of a poem that are inspired by or modeled after another poem should indicate that with a note below the title reading “after (the title of the poem, by the name of the author).”

• Entrants will provide a document with the text of the original poem or a link to the poem online.  Entrants will include their name, grade level, school, teacher’s name, and title of poem.  Poems must be submitted electronically as a PDF file to [email protected] by June 1, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.

• Parents or legal guardians must also email [email protected] by June 1, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. giving permission for student’s entry.