A.R. Ammons Poetry Contest History

     In 1992, three people in Columbus County came together with different purposes that together became this 27 year old contest.

     Melba Wyche was a retired high school teacher who had known Archie Ammons while both were undergraduate students at Wake Forest College in the years just following World War II. Melba had followed her friend’s career, bought and read his poetry books and taught his work to her students. She had spoken to just about every civic or social group in Columbus County, telling everyone that a man who had graduated from Whiteville High School was the greatest American poet of the Twentieth Century.

     Raymond Mize was an English and creative writing instructor at Southeastern Community College in Whiteville who taught, read and wrote poetry. He had entered many poetry contests and was passionate about spreading his love to his students.

     Susan Wood was a parent with two children in the local middle school who was outspoken in the need to recognize all clever, creative children in the County to the same extent as those who were good with balls and bats.  

     The three met and discussed their purpose. Mrs. Wyche agreed to write to Mr. Ammons and ask if he would allow his name to be used for the Contest. He wrote back immediately and told her he would be honored.

     Ray Mize was the person who designed the shape of the contest, the Divisions according to grade in school, the blind judging by panels of retired academics and poets. The emphasis was set for complete impartiality and freedom for the judges who would have no information about the authorship of any entry.

     Mize and Wyche agreed to serve as judges and another former teacher, Reba Bowen, who had known Archie in High School offered to serve as judges. Other retired teachers, Gene Claire Gault, Mary Mintz and many more were recruited over the years, always serving in panels of three or four judges.

Susan Wood recruited the local association, PAGE (Parents for the Advancement of Gifted Education) to become one of the first sponsors. James High, publisher of the News reporter, was also quick to become a sponsor, providing office supplies, printing and the newspaper space to publish every place winner and every Honorably Mentioned winning poem every year. Waccamaw Bank (now BB&T, and soon Truist) agreed to provide financial support to pay for prizes.

During the first years the Contest was divided into four divisions, Division I – Kindergarten through 2nd grade; Division II – 3rd – 5th; Division III – 6th – 8th and Division IV – 9th – 12th. Students were eligible who attended any Columbus County School. In 2005, a college division, V, was added and open to all undergraduate students at any North Carolina institution.

     The Contest began with around 500 entries the first year, growing to an average of 700 per year. The biggest year was 2018, the 25th year when the celebrations involved a three day visit from Tracy Smith, the serving U.S. poet Laureate. Ms. Smith spoke to a large assembly of 7th grade students, a public assembly and met in small group workshops with high school students. The entries that year topped 1300.

     In March 2019, the NC Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green visited the County for three days and addressed a large public assembly and held several workshops with high school students and another with their teachers. Students responded with over 900 entries.

     The current sponsors of the Contest include the Reuben Brown House Preservation Society, which organized the Poet Laureate visits under the leadership of Patricia Ray and Janice Simms. Oher financial sponsors are the News Reporter, BB&T and the Columbus Regional Healthcare System. Financial sponsors provide funds for the annual Recognition Program, usually in May, and for books and prizes for all winners.  

     The most memorable Recognition program was held in 1996 when Archie Ammons was present on the stage and personally handed every student their prize, all involved, grinning from ear to ear. At the usual Reception after the program, Ammons signed autographs for over an hour as almost every student came up to him and posed for pictures with the famous poet.