Bucks County Community College has announced the 38th annual Bucks County High School Poet of the Year contest, inviting local high school students to submit their original poetry for a chance to win a $300 prize.
The competition is open to all freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors who either reside in Bucks County or attend a Bucks County high school, including home-schooled students. New Hope High School students are also eligible to participate.
The contest, part of the Bucks County Poet Laureate Program, requires participants to submit three original poems by Monday, March 17.
Previous winners are not eligible to compete.
The winner will receive a cash prize, a proclamation from the Bucks County Commissioners, and an invitation to read their work at a public reception.
Finalists and runners-up will also be invited to participate in the event.
Dr. Ethel Rackin, director of the Bucks County Poet Laureate Program, highlighted the potential benefits for students who enter the competition.
Beyond the recognition and financial award, the contest offers students the opportunity to develop their writing skills and gain public speaking experience.
Rackin noted that mentioning participation in the contest and public reading on college applications can serve as a strong indicator of initiative and literary talent.
Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges consisting of the current Bucks County Poet Laureate, Lake Angela, and former laureate Tara Tamburello. Students interested in entering can submit their work and application forms online.
Bucks County Community College also offers several other literary contests and scholarships for students interested in writing and the humanities.
High schools in Bucks contest various poetry awards, giving students numerous opportunities to showcase their talents.
This scholarship is available to full and part-time students in the Liberal Arts/Humanities Program with at least 30 completed credits and a minimum 3.25 GPA.
Applicants must submit a 1,000–1,500 word essay and two letters of recommendation from faculty, one of whom must be a full-time instructor.
Essays are judged on content quality and expression. The winner receives a $300 award. The deadline for submission is April 10, 2022.
Open to all BCCC students, this college-wide contest recognizes the best poetry, short story, and essay submissions.
Students may enter multiple genres, and a $50 prize will be awarded in each category. The deadline has yet to be announced.
This contest is open to all BCCC students and allows up to three pages of poetry on any subject or style.
Each entry must include a cover letter with the author’s details and a $15 entry fee supporting the Beverly Stoughton Memorial Scholarship Fund.
The winner receives $100 and an invitation to read at BCCC alongside a visiting poet. The first and second runners-up will also be invited to read. The deadline for submissions is March 15.
These scholarships recognize outstanding students in the Language and Literature program.
The Basic Writing Legacy Scholarship is awarded to the top student with a minimum 3.0 GPA in the previous fall semester.
The Language & Literature Legacy Scholarship is designated for a student of distinction who is the first in their family to attend college.
Open to all poets in Bucks County, this annual competition requires the submission of ten original poems of any style, form, or length.
The winner receives a $500 honorarium. The deadline for submissions is in September.
For additional information on these contests and scholarships, students can visit the BCCC Language and Literature Department or contact faculty members listed in the respective competition details.
The Bucks County High School Poet of the Year contest and other writing opportunities are essential to help students develop their creative skills.
To support this, free poetry workshops may also be available to help participants refine their submissions.
