Poetry Society of Tennessee - Northeast Chapter, in partnership with the Sesquicentennial Commission, is hosting a poetry contest for high school students and adults.

“The Sesquicentennial celebration has served as an opportunity to reflect on Johnson City’s history, its progress and the many reasons people call it home,” said Rose Klix, president for the Poetry Society of Tennessee-Northeast Chapter. “We believe poetry is a fantastic method of capturing the feelings these reflections evoke.”

Contest entries must be original, unpublished, the work of one poet and may not have won a cash prize in any other contest. Poets may only submit one poem for consideration. There is no entry fee. All poems should be about Johnson City (i.e. the city’s history, culture, people, iconic architecture, environment, parks, gardens, growth, etc.). Submissions in the student category are required to be in the form of an acrostic poem using either the letters in Johnson City or those in Sesquicentennial. Submissions in the adult category may be in any form with a maximum of 30 lines. Full contest rules and entry requirements can be found on the Sesquicentennial website, www.jctn150.com.

All entries will be blind-judged. Monetary awards will be given to the first- ($25), second- ($15), and third- ($10) place winners in each category, and up to seven honorable mentions may be named in each category. All winners will be notified by mail. Winning poets’ names and poem title will be posted on the Facebook page of Poetry Society of Tennessee – Northeast Chapter (@poetrysocietytnne) as well as the Johnson City Sesquicentennial Celebration (@JCTN150). Winning poems will be included in the 2019 Sesquicentennial Time Capsule.  Winners and honorable mentions will be invited to read their submissions at a recognition ceremony in November. 

The Poetry Society of Tennessee - Northeast Tennessee chapter represents a group of authors dedicated to the promotion and encouragement of poetry and poetry writing. Group members strive to perfect the craft while supporting poetry through education of the community.

For complete entry information or to learn more about the yearlong sesquicentennial celebration, visit www.jctn150.com or follow @jctn150 (Johnson City 150 — Sesquicentennial Celebration) on Facebook.

CONTACT:    Rose Klix
                             Poetry Society of Tennessee-NE
                             423.262.8724

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