Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon is hosting a Youth Poetry Competition

First place winner earns a prize of $300; second place winner earns a $200 prize; and third place wins $100. Five finalists receive $50 and seven semi-finalists receive $25. As well as a cash prize, the first, second, and third place poets will be offered performance opportunities.

In order to participate in the competition, students must be Asian, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander. They must reside in the state of Oregon and be between the ages of 14-20. The piece a student publishes must not be work that has already been previously published. The poem must be an original piece by the student.

“I would encourage any interested students to use their voices to represent their experiences, perspectives, and beliefs as a way to uplift themselves and others," said campus social worker Caty Buckley. "Their poems can also serve to inform the greater community of the value of inclusive and culturally specific arts.”

Students can enter up to two poems that embody what health means to them. The topic of health can be interpreted in multiple ways, such as physical, mental, emotional, social, socio-political, economic, familial, and ancestral health. All submissions are encouraged and welcome. Submissions are open now and close May 9 at 11:59 p.m. Competition winners will be announced on May 25.

Student’s are required to upload their submissions in PDF format. They should and make sure to exclude any identifying information on the PDF to eliminate bias as much as possible. If a student is sending in two poems, the second poem must start on a new page, but still remain in the same document. The poems should not exceed three pages. The form to apply is in each student’s 202X Google Classroom.

Any questions should be sent to des@apano.org.