2026 Winners Announcement
Congratulations to the winners of the Everett Public Libraries 2026 Annual Poetry Contest!
Read the official press release here!
Youth Winner
Dawn of Independence by Arielle Louis
Independence
It is not gained by sitting around
waiting. It doesn’t come easily.
Independence must be earned; it is both
giving and taking. Lives lost, and hearts swallow
in sorrow on the day we earned independence.
250 years have passed, wow! It is amazing what
people did for independence. So let us think,
is independence just a word, or part of America?
Teen Winner
Lord, let America be America once again. by Lee Walsh
I am American dreaming of the star spangled banners soaring in the sweltering heat of early July.
I am singing Bruce Springsteen, lighting the grill, and I am praying.
Lord, let America be America once again.
Let the immigrants gaze upon lady liberty with hopeful eyes and hungry hearts.
Let the mother’s prayers be answered, and return our soldiers safely to our homeland.
I am American dreaming of prosperity, community and freedom. I am singing “this land is your land”, extending my hand, and praying.
Lord let America be America once again.
Let us crack open a cold one with the ones we love most.
Let the war end, and the fireworks fly.
Let the tables be overflowing with food, let no one go hungry.
Paul’s midnight ride helped win us our freedom, and tonight we shall enjoy it.
Lord, let us be free to love.
Let us be free to enjoy all of these little liberties.
250 years of freedom
lord let us see 250 more!
Adult Winner
Association by Paige Anderson
The grains of sand stilled around the New Haven Harbor
As African men, women, and children cried over their forced departure.
The ripplets of water washed across the Ann Lee Pond
As the Shakers announced that man and woman are equal under God.
The stones stampeded down Blair Mountain
As coal miners fought for their rights by the thousands.
The branches broke under the weight of the Chicago snow
As the police dealt the Black Panthers the final blow.
The tufts of grass glowed on Sandhills
As Standing Rock protestors stood in the way of the drills.
Finalists Announcement
Thank you to everyone who submitted entries to the 2026 Everett Public Libraries Poetry Contest! We were thrilled to receive a wide range of poems from poets all over Everett, and we truly appreciate you all taking the time to share your creativity with the community. The rich variety of voices, styles, and stories within your poems allowed for a true celebration of Poetry Month this year.
After careful deliberation of all submissions to the contest, our judges have chosen the following finalists:
Youth Finalists
- The strange path by Camila Carranza
- Freedom by Balsirat Kaur
- Dawn of Independence by Arielle Louis
Teen Finalists
- Land of the Free by Loralei O’Brien
- Lord, let America be America once again. by Lee Walsh
- Growing Winter by Davi Souza
Adult Finalists
- Association by Paige Anderson
- Another Night Rider by Ernie Cavicchi
- Waging Waters by Talya Jones
Whether you are a finalist or not, we’d love for you to join us in celebrating all of the talented poets who took part in the contest. Please join us at the Poetry Contest Awards Ceremony (details below).
Poetry Contest Awards Ceremony
The finalists have been chosen! Join us as we recognize the accomplishments of these local poets. Youth, Teen, and Adult Finalists will read their poems, winners will be announced, and prizes will be awarded. Come enjoy free refreshments and a community celebration of poetry that is sure to be one for the books! All prizes for this contest have been generously provided by the Kiwanis Club of Everett.
Thursday, May 7th at 6pm | Parlin Memorial Library
The Everett Public Libraries’ Annual Poetry Contest is back, and now open to all ages. This year we are encouraging a poetic theme: 250 Years of Independence! Open to all Everett residents with an Everett Public Libraries card. Submit an original poem by the April 24th deadline and you could win a prize, courtesy of the Kiwanis Club of Everett! The Winners’ Recital and Awards Ceremony on May 7th will be a celebration for the books!
Rules
- Open to all Everett Public Libraries cardholders who reside in Everett.
- Themed poems are preferred within the theme of: 250 Years of Independence!
- All poems must be your own original work. AI-generated submissions and any other forms of plagiarism will be detected, and will result in immediate disqualification.
- Poems should not contain any profanity, vulgarity, or otherwise obscene language. Any submissions including such language will not be considered.
- All poems must be submitted with a Title.
- Upon submission, entrants grant the Everett Public Libraries rights to publish the poem and consents that all poetry may be displayed and/or reproduced without limitation and without compensation.
- Entries may be submitted in person with a paper Entry Form (see below for link), or by using the online Entry Form link. If you need assistance with submissions, please go directly to the library circulation desks.
- All participants under the age of 18 will require a signature of a parent or guardian to accompany their submission on the Entry Form. Submissions without a parent or guardian signature will not be considered.
- Participants may submit up to two (2) entries for consideration.
ALL ENTRIES MUST BE SUBMITTED IN PERSON OR ONLINE BY END OF DAY FRIDAY, APRIL 24TH.
Submissions
All entries must be submitted for one of the following age-based categories: Youth (ages 0-12), Teen (ages 13-17), and Adult (ages 18+). If submitting online, please use the Online Entry Form above. If you need assistance in submitting the online entry form, please visit one of your local libraries in Everett:
Parlin Memorial Library
410 Broadway Everett, MA 02149
Shute Memorial Library
781 Broadway Everett, MA 02149
If you have any other questions or concerns about your submission, please contact us by calling 617-394-2300 or emailing parlininfo@noblenet.org.
Judging and Finalists
Three finalists per age-based category will be selected by a committee, and announced publicly on April 30th, 2026.
Finalists will be invited and expected to attend and read aloud their submissions at the Poetry Contest Awards Ceremony, to be hosted at the Parlin Memorial Library on Thursday, May 7th, 2026 at 6pm.
One winner from each age-based category will be announced. Cash prizes will be presented to the winners, which have been generously provided by the Kiwanis Club of Everett.
