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One of the student paintings available as inspiration in this year's contest. (Credit: Baltimore County Public Schools)
BALTIMORE COUNTY - A picture may be worth a thousand words, but Baltimore County Public Schools is only looking for 17 syllables. The BCPS Haiku Content will begin accepting entries on Thursday, February 16.
"We are excited that this year's haiku contest has a new twist," said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams. "Rather than asking students to write haiku on a single theme, we are giving students options to use their interpretive skills to analyze and react to student artwork. I am always interested to see what students are thinking and how they will express their ideas and feelings. The contest is a welcome opportunity to celebrate student writing, student art, and student voice."
Students submitted 2,445 entries from 111 schools, centers, and programs in last year's contest. The 2022 winner for the elementary school category submitted a haunting poem about love and growing up.
I have a dream, where
When I am old, I am loved
Same as I am now.
Juliet Wentzell, Grade 5 Mays Chapel Elementary School (Stephanie Stefanik, English language arts teacher)
For the BCPS 2023 Haiku Contest, each student is invited to choose from ten pieces of student artwork and write a haiku inspired by that artwork. Entries for the annual BCPS Haiku Poetry Contest will be accepted from 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, February 16, through 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, March 2.
All haiku must be original and submitted using the online 2023 Haiku Contest Form. Each student may only submit one haiku. A winning haiku will be chosen at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Winners will be announced on Monday, April 17, International Haiku Poetry Day, and will receive prizes.
As in prior years, the winning poems and additional selected haiku will be compiled into an online book with student artwork. Each school library will receive a print copy.
