To celebrate National Poetry Month and Oklahoma, the Rural Oklahoma Museum of Poetry conducts an annual Oklahoma Poem Contest, with cash prizes for the winners. There are 14 categories with prizes awarded in each category for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd. We also choose an outstanding poem for a special overall award from all categories.

2026 Oklahoma Poem Contest: Oklahoma Emblems

 Each grade level should write its poem about the specific emblem/symbol specified below.

Kindergarten = Fruit: Strawberry
1st = Furbearer Animal: Common Raccoon
2nd = Tree: Redbud
3rd = Reptile: Collared Lizard
4th = Monument: Golden Driller
5th = Insect: European Honeybee
6th = Wildflower: Indian blanket
7th = Vegetable: Watermelon
8th = Rock: Rose Rock
9th = Bird: Scissortail Flycatcher
10th = Mammal: Buffalo
11th = Floral Emblem: Mistletoe
12th = Butterfly: Black Swallowtail
Adult = OPEN—anything honoring/celebrating Oklahoma

Evaluation Guidelines: These are the things judges will be looking for in the entries:

1^st: Poetic description of the subject that includes sensory imagery (touch, taste, smell, sight, sound), concrete language, and poetic techniques (alliteration, personification, metaphor, etc.)

2^nd: Creative and original development of the subject. Add a unique view or insight about the subject. Use any point of view you would like but strive to develop a personal response to the subject. IMPORTANT: The title should also be original, not just the name of the subject. Consider picking as your title a phrase from the actual poem itself. Choose a title after you have finished the poem.

3^rd: Accuracy in development of the subject. While we want you to have originality in your development, make sure the description of the subject is accurate in some way—either visually or in spirit.

NOTE ABOUT RHYME: Your poem can be rhymed or unrhymed—both types of poems are equally eligible for prizes. If rhyming, strive for a rhyming pattern that suits your poem and does not feel forced.

NOTE ABOUT FORM: If you write a poem with a specific form (acrostic, diamante, etc.), strive to have excellent imagery and unique phrasing, as some forms severely limit the poem’s capacity for originality and poetic qualities.

SUBMITTING YOUR POEM: All entries must be mailed through the postal system. No poems will be accepted through email. As always, in-person delivery to the museum is acceptable and encouraged. We do not have the resources to acknowledge receipt of every entry.

An entry form should accompany each entry. The form can be downloaded and printed below. They are also available at ROMP or ROMP Rummage Store. Make sure that your name or identifying information is nowhere on the poem itself.

Poems can be submitted at any time but must be postmarked or hand-delivered by March 7, 2026.

The winners will be announced by email the week before Wonder City Wordfest, which is April 11, 2026. Prizes will be awarded at the festival, though you don’t have to be present to win. Winners who don’t attend will have their prize money mailed to them after the festival.

Contest Guidelines:                     CASH PRIZES totaling $2,200

1. Only Oklahoma residents are eligible to enter.
2. Poems will be judged in 14 categories: Kindergarten-12^th grade, plus adult.
3. Cash awards will be given in each category. 1^st = $75, 2^nd = $50, 3^rd = $25
4. The maximum length for poems is 30 lines.
5. One poem per person.
6. Previous winning poems cannot be submitted again.
7. A signed Entry Form must be filled out and turned in with the poem.

DEADLINE: Postmarked or Hand-Delivered by March 7, 2026

Your name should not appear on the poem itself. Entries are only accepted through postal mail or in person (no email entries). Mail your poem with the attached entry form to:

Rural Oklahoma Museum of Poetry PO Box 1243 Locust Grove OK 74352

Questions/Comments about the contest can be emailed to ROMPoetry@gmail.com.

2026 Oklahoma Poem Contest Entry Form

2025 Oklahoma Poem Contest Winners

Grand Prize Winner: Hadley Waller, 10th grade

Kindergarten
1^st, Emmie Baumann, Edmond
2^nd, Gideon Forman, Konawa
3^rd, Claire Moffitt, Tulsa

3^rd Grade
1^st, Kamryn Thiems, Vinita
2^nd, John Ingolfsson, Ada
3^rd, Aspen Ferguson, Wagoner

4^th Grade
1^st, Xavier Siegfried, Ada
2^nd, Aiyana Brock, Ada
3^rd, Asher Feller, Stratford

5^th Grade
1^st, Ashton Wise, Roff
2^nd, Jeremiah Bryant, Broken Arrow
3^rd, Jason Feathers, Broken Arrow

6^th Grade
1^st, Emily Arrowood, Berryhill
2^nd, Everly Hoggard, Oklahoma City
3^rd, Hannah Sweet, Stratford

7^th Grade
1^st, Kyler Hitchcock, Watts
2^nd, Kelawnta Williams, Ada
3^rd, Tynlee Peat, Billings

8^th Grade
1^st, Nevaeh Kue, Inola
2^nd, Eben Marin, Garber
3^rd, Ellah Vue, Inola

9^th Grade
1^st, Gisselle Ponce, Kingfisher
2^nd, Hadley Banther, Kingfisher
3^rd, Chandler Shriver-Johnson, Kingfisher

10^th Grade
1^st, Hadley Waller, Jones
2^nd, Rory Joseph, Jones
3^rd, Alaysha Hooper, Bethany

11^th Grade
1^st, Katelyn Reynolds, Marlow
2^nd, Tanner Johnston, Wewoka
3^rd, Kendra Rattan, Seminole

12^th Grade
1^st, Amina Whiteside, Lawton
2^nd, Kai Maciag-Whiteley, Tulsa
3^rd, Brooke Miller, Lawton

Adult
1^st, Carla Edwards, Pawnee
2^nd, Cody Thiems, Vinita
3^rd, Kara Baumann, Edmond

2025 OK Poetry Anthology of Winning Poems (pdf)

RESOURCES:

Oklahoma Historical Society: Oklahoma Symbols

Wikipedia: Oklahoma State Symbols

We are pleased to announce the winners of the 2024 contest. We received 683 entries from all across the state this year, a record for the contest, so competition was incredible.

2024 Oklahoma Poem Contest Winners

K-4^th Grade

1^st, Vivian Williams, Alva
2^nd, Bostyn Shepherd, Enid,
3^rd, Leyton Lea, Enid

 5^th-8^th Grade

1^st, Hartley Burchardt, Chandler
2^nd, Evie Smith, Elgin
3^rd, Eli Elliott, Sulphur

9^th-12^th Grade

1^st, Laney Henry, Pawnee
2^nd, Steven Vuong, Moore
3^rd, Kadence Morris, Owasso

 Adult

1^st, Paul Juhasz, Oklahoma City
2^nd, Corinne Gaston, Tulsa
3^rd, Mason Turner, Howe

2024 WINNING POEMS: Click link below to see the pdf of winning poems. They will also be on display inside the museum.

2024 Winners-OK Poem Contest

2023 Oklahoma Poem Contest Winners

In 2023, the contest received 553 entries and the final round of entries was judged by retired English professor and poet Roxann Yates. Winning poems were read at Wonder City Wordfest. 

K-4^th
1^st, Lejeh Kim, Broken Arrow
2^nd, Vivian Williams, Alva
3^rd, Oliver Griffith, Shawnee

5^th-8^th
1^st. Allison Radcliffe, Chandler
2^nd, Daniella Priester, Skiatook
3^rd, Tailyn Lee, Skiatook

9^th-12^th
 1^st, Gavin Dennis, Wagoner
2^nd, Blake Means, Claremore
3^rd, Emma Oliver, Grove

Adult
1^st, Zhenya Yevtushenko, Tulsa
2^nd, Sarah Bell, Newalla
3^rd, Gary Reddin, Duncan

2023 OK Poems

2022 Oklahoma Poem Contest Winners

In 2022, we received 526 entries, the most we have ever received. Competition was extremely tough! Thank you to everyone who entered!

K-4^th Grade

1. Lizabeth Bundy, Idabel, “The Sooner State”
2. Lana Smith, Tuttle, “Oklahoma Buffalo”
3. Kambryi Bowles, Tuttle, “The Oklahoma Honeybee”

5^th-8^th Grade

1. Tsuguaki Katoh, Tulsa, “A Place I’ve Seen Grow”
2. Payton Marlin, Inola, “Day at the Ranch”
3. Sadie Ferguson, Wagoner, “Oklahoma Masterpiece”

9^th-12 Grade

1. Lucas Buzzelli, Claremore, “Frogs from an Oklahoma Clearing”
2. Reese Akins, Edmond, “My Oklahoma”
3. Eric Geng, Norman, “Mother Oklahoma”

Adult

1. Cody Swinson, Lexington, “A Feather Blows”
2. Regina Philpott McLemore, Stilwell, “Shades of Oklahoma”
3. Jeffry Baggett, Tulsa, “Council Oak Tree”

READ WINNING POEMS (pdf): 2022 Oklahoma Poem Contest Winners

 

Oklahoma Poem Contest Winners 2021

K-5^th Grade

1. Easton King, Lawton, Epic Charter School
2. Panashe Mushonga, Oklahoma City, Home-Schooled
3. Evan Foresman, Yukon, Independence Intermediate

6^th-8^th Grade

1. Hayden Barrowman, Norman, Whittier Middle School
2. Mykayla Shearer, Chickasha, Friend School
3. TIE: Kyler Nida, Harrah, Belle Isle Enterprise Middle School
   and Hannah Joo, Norman, Terra Verde Discovery School

9^th-12^th Grade

1. Emma Cinocca, Tulsa, Jenks High School
2. Lucas Buzzelli, Claremore, Claremore High School
3. TIE: Kayley Ray, Lenapah, Oklahoma Union
   and Kaitlyn Pierce, Nowata, Oklahoma Union

Adult

1. Jen Handsel, Tulsa
2. Kathy Snyman, Locust Grove
3. Emily Geest, Stillwater
   Honorable Mention: Kathryn Lawler, Norman

The winning poems for 2021 can be read in THIS DOCUMENT. Prizes will be mailed to the winners! The winning poems will also be on display in the museum.

The Oklahoma Poem Contest takes place every year with a deadline in early April.

Rural Oklahoma Museum of Poetry
2020 Oklahoma Poem Contest Winning Poets

Adult

1^st, Aunika Anderson, Spiro
2^nd, Jacquelyn Magrady, Tulsa
3^rd, Zachary Wilhite, Claremore

9^th-12^th Grade

1^st, Kaylee Bowman, Grove
2^nd, Justin Herlan, Bluejacket
3^rd, Harley Lee, Bluejacket

5^th-8^th Grade

1^st, Aurora Parks, Pryor
2^nd, Ashlie Nguyen, Yukon
3^rd, Zack Strong, Yukon

K-4^th Grade

1^st, Jediah Harrison, Grove
2^nd, MeKenzie Smith, Yukon
3^rd, Silas Jackson, Grove

Oklahoma Poem Contest 2020: Winning Poems

2019 Oklahoma Poem Contest Winners

Adult

1^st, Hannah Ewton, Claremore

2^nd, Darron Dunbar, Oklahoma City

3^rd, Mary McCloskey, Oklahoma City

9^th-12^th

1^st, Palmer Strubhar, Piedmont

5^th-8^th

1^st, Lahna Erwin

2^nd, Ivy Snyder

3^rd, Ashley Smith

K-4^th

1^st, Zack Strong, Yukon

2^nd Alexander Spruill, El Reno & Kaylee Porter, Yukon

3^rd, Leslie Bernal, Tulsa

CLICK HERE to see photos by Zack Strong’s grandfather Lonnie Rickey at Wonder City Wordfest

2019 OK Winning Poems

Poem by Darron Dunbar

2018 Oklahoma Poem Contest Winners

Photographs of the winners who were at the ceremony can be found HERE.

Category: K-5^th Grade

1^st
Aurora Parks, Roosevelt Elementary, Pryor

2^nd
Amelia Hanlan, Independence Elementary, Yukon

3^rd (tie)
Madison Mennecke, LGUE, Locust Grove

Parker Hensley, Independence Elementary, Yukon

Category: 6^th-8^th Grade

1st
Erin Bendabout, LGMS, Locust Grove

2nd
Jerah Bighorse, LGMS, Locust Grove

3^rd (tie)
Miranda Blossom, LGMS, Locust Grove

Mya Phillips, LGMS, Locust Grove

Category: 9th-12th Grade

1st

Jasmine Alverado, Emerson South, Oklahoma City

2nd
Sierra Murphy, LGHS, Locust Grove

3rd
Audra Cunningham, LGHS, Locust Grove

Category: Adult

1^st
Casey Mclerran, Sapulpa

2^nd
Debra Martin, Edmond

3^rd
Hannah Eaton, Claremore

You can read all of the winning poems in a pdf by clicking HERE.

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