The Callaway County Public Library and the Auxvasse Creative Arts Program recognized the winners of the 2017 Callaway County Youth Poetry Contest Thursday night at the library.
This year's theme was "America the Beautiful." Students were encouraged to write a poem celebrating the natural beauty of the United States. Possible themes for their poems included summertime, travel to American destinations, weekend road trips in Missouri or something students see in their back yards.
Prizes were awarded for first, second and third place in each age group by judges Clarence Wolfshohl and Denise Felt.
Five-eight years old:
First place - Olivia Kerr, home schooled
Second place - Alexandra Craighead, Hatton-McCredie Elementary
Third plac e- Connor Dye, Williamsburg Elementary
Nine-12 years old:
First place - Savannah Blair, New Bloomfield Elementary
Second place - Ashlyn Peters, New Bloomfield Elementary
Third place - Madison Hancock, New Bloomfield Elementary
13-18 years old:
First place tie - Haley Vanderiet and Aris Lamont, North Callaway High
Third place - Jordyn Mackey, North Callaway High
Wolfshohl said their were many excellent entries in this year's competition.
"You gave us a very tough job," he said to the winners. "The whole group was very enjoyable to read, and it was hard to pick just these winners. Thank you for the opportunity to read your work."
