York County Libraries have announced the winners of their 36th Annual “A Celebration of Poetry” contest. Twenty-four winners were selected from entries submitted by York and Adams County students. A recent ceremony was held to celebrate their achievements at Martin Library.
“We have offered this contest for over three decades, and it is wonderful to see how area students embrace this opportunity to share their writing with their friends, family and the community,” says York County Libraries President Robert F. Lambert. “We commend and applaud all of this year’s entrants and winners for their remarkable creativity and ingenuity.”
This year’s “A Celebration of Poetry” judges included Chuck Blair, Travis Kurowski, Lori Leckrone, JJ Sheffer, Dominish Marie Miller, Holly Nace, Dustin Nispel, Spencer Patterson, Jerald Proctor Sr., Alba Sarria, and Aretha Brown. They selected winners in the following age groups: Grades 1-2, Grades 3-4, Grades 5-6, Grades 7-8, Grades 9-10, and Grades 11-12. Student entries were judged on organization and overall impact, poetry elements, grammar, usage, mechanics, and spelling by a panel of local educators, librarians, and writers.
“We really appreciate the opportunity Celebration of Poetry gives us to recognize what creative and talented writers we have in York and Adams Counties,” says York County Libraries Youth Services Director Mindy McDonnell. “Reading their poetry submissions is always a highlight of our year.”
The 2025 poetry contest winners are as follows:
Grades 1-2:
1st Place: Killian Womer
2nd Place: Gideon Divinsky
3rd Place: Grace He
4th Place: Crimson Sprenkle
Grades 3-4:
1st Place: Lizzie Hanusa
2nd Place: Gabriella Wright
3rd Place: Waverly Culver
4th Place: Orion Wentland
Grades 5-6:
1st Place: Henley Turocy
2nd Place: Elaine He
3rd Place: McKenna Womer
4th Place: Olivia Messick
Grades 7-8:
1st Place: Dakota Helwig
2nd Place: Taryn He
3rd Place: Bailey Green
4th Place: Elaina Wagaman
Grades 9-10:
1st Place: Karly Gerow
2nd Place: Caylen Welch
3rd Place: Brittany Winters
4th Place: Riley Lentz
Grades 11-12:
1st Place: Reese Shader
2nd Place: Ella Gladfelter
3rd Place: Myka Walker
4th Place: Kailey Lopez
Individuals interested in reading the winning poems can find copies of the commemorative “A Celebration of Poetry” booklet at libraries in York and Adams County.
