The Owl’s poetry contest showcased a wide range of student voices, creativity, and emotion. From messages about identity and justice to personal reflection on love and self-worth, each poem offered a unique perspective on different subjects. Writes used imagery, figurative language, and expression to turn their thoughts into art. The following awards were based on creativity, emotional impact, and originality.

Most Relatable:

Growing Up

by. Aubrey Washbush

As little kids

We didn’t care.

Grades were nothing,

crushes didn’t matter.

We only cried

when we fell

Pressure and stress was nothing

we never knew.

As we get older,

all we do is care.

Grades are everything,

crushes ruin our lives.

We cry more

Because it’s all too much.

Pressure and stress is always there

that’s all we know.

But as little kids,

we wanted to grow up so badly.

So remember to take a step back.

Breathe.

Go be a kid again.

Take some time to do things you love.

Forget about the pressure, the stress.

But remember

sunny spring days,

hopscotch drawings,

games of tag,

days spent at the pool,

sleep over that never seemed to end.

But most importantly,

remember what it was like 

before growing up.

Most Creative Concept:

The Reaper 

by. Jordan Lara

A dead man walks the earth,

his name is Vincent Graves,

meeting all the souls,

that couldn’t be saved.

He listens to their tales,

cursed with empathy.

And when they dissipate,

He mourns, and leaves.

But do not feel sorrow,

for this cursed man,

His heart was once hollow,

now this is his punishment.

A hundred years, at least,

will be his full sentence:

gaining humanity,

and soon, repentance.

Best Imagery:

A Dreamful Encounter 

by. Olivia Gaspar Pascual

Once inside my silent heart,

which held no wishes to live for,

a destined story slept quietly

until it meant my untouched dreams.

In the tranquility of night,

Under the sleepy clouds and wind,

I was bewitched by a passing star…

One bestowed by the lining of heaven.     

I caught it underneath the glittering sky. 

That delicate thread of hope

wrapped itself around my dreams,

glowing endlessly within me.

The bond promised by moonlight

felt like a diamond proposing.

a light I carried deep inside,

marking the dawn

of an unforgettable love.

Most emotional Impact:

Between Love and Leaving

I just want to go home,

But my heart knows it can’t be 

I thought our love was set in stone,

But I know I have to leave.

I’m sorry we have to part ways,

but it’s time for me to go.

Sometimes it’s too hard to stay,

and in the end, it’s just me. 

It doesn’t mean we weren’t real 

it just couldn’t last.

Because I just want to go home,

and I may never come back.

Best Powerful Message:

Liberty and justice for who.

by. Lilliana Dowden

They taught us to stand, 

hand over heart,

to promise liberty and justice for all,

But never told us

Who “all” was meant to include.

Because Black hands were once bound,

not placed over hearts.

Black voices were silenced, not pledged allegiance. 

Freedom was written in ink

that refused to recognize our humanity.

Liberty–for who?

not for you.

When chains clanged louder than rights.

Justice-for who?

When laws protected property,

but not Black lives.

We fought to be counted as human,

Not fractions,

Not shadows,

Not threats.

We marched when told to kneel,

spoke when silence was safer,

and bled for a flag

that didn’t always love us back.

But still, we rose

from cotton fields to courtrooms,

from protest to podiums.

We demanded what we promised

not special treatment,

just truth.

So when I say the pledge now,

I pause.

I question.

I remember.

Because liberty and justice

were never freely given

they were fought for,

earned,

and are still being defended 

by those who were never meant to survive,

yet did.

And maybe one day,

“for all”

will finally mean everyone.

Best Theme of Self-Acceptance: 

A Field of Flowers

by. Nevaeh Cox

How do you truly know if your flowers are beautiful?

You compare your flowers to others.

I compare my flowers to the beauty of others.

My flowers are sad and falling, while others are tall and growing.

I think my flowers don’t look lively, while others are thriving and lovely.

My flowers aren’t the prettiest color, while others are expressive and beautiful.

As I take a look at my flowers, I realize how different they are.

But just because they are different,

it doesn’t make them any less magnificent.

Someone offers me a flower.

Though I’ve never gotten a flower before,

they ask to have one of mine.

I say yes, maybe it’s a sign.

Maybe my flowers aren’t so bad after all.

Maybe flowers weren’t the flaw to begin with.

Not even a little bit, not even close, not even at all.

I realize I too am beautiful and can bloom.

And so can you.

Thank you to all the writers who participated!