BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//events.getlocalhop.com//localhop-calendar//EN URL:https://api.getlocalhop.com/calendar?instance=G13uKRN6Y6&series=false BEGIN:VEVENT UID:event-instance-G13uKRN6Y6@events.getlocalhop.com SEQUENCE:0 DTSTAMP:20260404T004951Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260406 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260407 X-MICROSOFT-CDO-ALLDAYEVENT:TRUE X-MICROSOFT-MSNCALENDAR-ALLDAYEVENT:TRUE SUMMARY:OCPL Poetry Contest LOCATION:Oak Creek Public Library\, 8040 S 6th St Oak Creek\, WI 53154 DESCRIPTION:

Celebrate National Poetry Month by participating in OCPL's annual Poetry Contest! There are three age categories:

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  1. Middle School (ages 11-13)
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  2. High School (ages 14-18)< /li>\n
  3. Adult (18+)
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Poetry must be submi tted in-person at the library's Children's or Adult Service Desks during t he month of April. Entries will be judged by members of the community. Pri zes are awarded for 1st\, 2nd\, and 3rd places for each category\, as well as a chance to be published in the Oak Creek Current magazine and on OCP L's website. Winners will be announced at the Poetry Open Mic Night on May 29\, 2026 and b e invited to read their poems aloud if they would like.

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Submission Rules

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  1. Poem must be handed to a librarian at the Children&rsquo\;s Service Desk or the Adult Services Desk during the month of April. Emailed poems or poems submitted through social media platforms will not be accepted. There is no fee to enter.
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  2. An entry card m ust be completely filled out and attached securely to the poem with a paperclip. DO NOT use any staples. Entry cards can be collect ed and filled out at the same time you submit your poem.
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  3. Poem mu st be typed on white paper in black ink. Poems should be single-spaced. DO NOT print double-sided. Poems that are hand-written will not be accepted. Staff can assist with using the library computers to print your poem.
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  4. Poetry may be written in any poetic style and on any subject.
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  5. A poem in its entirety must be an original work by the person enterin g the contest.\n\n
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  6. Only one poem per person is allowed.
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  7. All poe ms must be written in English.
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  8. Poems containing language that is vulgar\, offensive\, or inappropriate will not be accepted.
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  9. Do not include your name or any other information at the beginning or end of your poem. Poet&rsquo\;s information should be on the ent ry card.
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Judging

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Contest entries are judged based on poe tic technique\, effectiveness\, style\, and creativity. Winners will be ch osen by the judges. Decisions and winners are final and cannot be conteste d. \;The contest&rsquo\;s selected judges are as follows:

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Amy Appel has been an English instructor at O ak Creek High School for 18 years. She holds an MA in literature from Midd lebury College and has studied the analysis and composition of poetry at t he graduate level.
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Peter Burzyński\, Ph D\, is a Milwaukee-born poet currently living in Slovakia as a Fulbright S cholar. His poetry ranges from language play\, to unrequited love\, to Eas tern European identity.
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Anne McClurg is currently retired but was a middle school teacher for many years. She is now a member of the Friends of the Library.

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Prizes

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Prizes are aw arded for 1st\, 2nd\, and 3rd place winners in each category. Additionally \, all winners will have the chance to be published in the Oak Creek Current magazine and/or o n OCPL's website. Winners will be announced at the Poetry Open Mic Night o n May 29\, 2026 and be invited to read their poems aloud if they would lik e.

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Di sclaimers

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By submitting a poem to our contest\, you accept that your poem may appear online and in print. We reserve the right to not publish a poem for any reason.

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