Eligible entrants include any Fresno County 7th-12th grade student in a public or private school or being home schooled. Students may submit one entry in each category.

AWARDS FOR POETRY

• Every entry receives a certificate.
• The TOP 10 per category, will receive medals. 
• The TOP three overall in middle school (7th-8th) will receive a $500.00 scholarship; the TOP three in high school (9th-12th) will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
• Grand Prize – 1 winner will be awarded a POETRY Grand Prize, which is a laptop.
• Teacher Award – The registered teacher of the POETRY Grand Prize winner will receive a $500.00 Amazon gift card.
• A student can only win the Art or Poetry Grand Prize once.
• The student awards will be given for Top 3 and Grand Prize winner on September 11, 2025.

POETRY PROMPT

Reflect on how our country was united as a result of the events of September 11, 2001.

It has been almost 24 years since September 11, 2001. Even though this was before you were born, you are probably familiar with the tragic events that happened in New York City, Washington D.C., and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania (Flight 93) and how it changed our country. One way in which it changed the United States of America is that we came together as a nation to mourn our loss and celebrate our heroes. Countless heroes, many of them unnamed, came to the aid of victims of the tragedy.

Research the event, focusing on the first responders (police officers, fire fighters, emergency personnel, and others). Create an original poem that relates to the heroes of September 11th and represents the theme of ONE VOICE – THE SPIRIT OF 9/12. The poem can be rhymed or free verse.

The Spirit of 9/12 is to bring us all back to the place we were on September 12, 2001.  We were not obsessed with red states, blue states or political parties. We were united as Americans, standing together to protect the values and principles of the United States of America.

GUIDELINES

1. All entries are judged anonymously, and the student’s name must not appear on the poem itself.
2. Poems must include a cover sheet, which includes title, student’s first and last name, age, grade level, school name, email address, and telephone number.
3. Poems must have a title and must not exceed 40 lines in length (excluding title) with no illustrations or graphics.
4. Poems must be the student’s original work and must not have been published anywhere, in any form, including online.
5. Poems should be typed in English or translated into English, printed in black ink a minimum type size of 12pt. Poems can be double or single spaced. 
6. Only one poetry entry per student is allowed.
7. Registration form must be completed online. 
8. The registration form and release and waiver of liability form must be printed and attached to the back of the poem. 
   All submissions must be suitable for all audiences; any poetry that expresses violence, is sexually suggestive, vulgar, or otherwise explicitly offensive will not be considered.
9. All poetry submitted for consideration must be the original creation of the student and must not be generated using artificial intelligence. Submissions found to be in violation of this policy will be disqualified from consideration. By submitting your poetry, you acknowledge and agree to abide by this requirement.
   1. By submitting the online registration, you certify that no generative AI was used in the creation of this poetry.
10. Submitted poetry is subject for use by the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools and The California 9/11 Memorial Foundation. 
11. Deliver poem to Fresno County Office of Education, 1111 Van Ness Avenue, on May 29, 2025, no later than 3:00 p.m. (To make arrangements for an alternate delivery date contact Dr. Lisa Benham-Lewis, lbenham@fcoe.org)
12. Entries not complying with competition rules will be disqualified.

Poetry Rubric

CONTEST INFORMATION: Dr. Lisa Benham-Lewis, Director | lbenham@fcoe.org
REGISTRATION INFORMATION: LuAnn McCaslin, Administrative Assistant | lrmccaslin@fcoe.org