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Nanaimo youth poetry contest winners recognized for their ‘poetic responses’

Initiated by city’s youth poet laureate, contest indicative of more programs to come
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All poems submitted to the Youth Book Response Poetry Contest, including the three winners and two honourable mentions, will be on display at Nanaimo’s Harbourfront Library in July. (News Bulletin photo)

The winners of a poetry contest for young writers initiated by the City of Nanaimo’s youth poet laureate have been announced.

The city and the Harbourfront Library made the announcement in partnership on Tuesday, May 21, in a press release.

Paige Pierce, the city’s youth poet laureate, created the Youth Book Response Poetry Contest in collaboration with Harbourfront Library as the first step in creating a community of youth writers and poets, and in anticipation of future programs such as summer camp, public readings and literary workshops.

Participants under the age of 18 were asked to create a poetic response to a book, poem or text that resonated with them. The show of more than a dozen entries showcased the strength and talents of Nanaimo’s young literary community, noted the release.

Taya Hleck’s Moon of the Crusted Snow took first place; Emma Dupere’s A Fight for Love won second; and Cora Setch’s Stanley’s Shocking Summer came in third place. Honourable mentions were given to Tavian Stark’s Wonder and Hazel Farley-Thompson’s Where the Wild Things Are.

All poems submitted to poetry contest will be on display at the library in July.

More information about the city’s youth poet laureate program can be found on the city’s website.

READ MORE: VIU education student named Nanaimo’s new youth poet laureate