Literacy Volunteers recognizes poetry contest winners

Literacy Volunteers of Franklin and Somerset Counties has announced the winners of its 13th annual poetry contest, funded in part by Western Mountain Financial Services and the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation.

Laine Kuehn of Belfast was the contest judge, according to a news release from Barbara Averill, executive director of the Farmington-based organization.

Contest categories:

Age 8-12

First place: Jaxon Whelpley from Farmington, River

Second place: Ari Boulette from Farmington, Football

Third place: Auri Waite from Farmington, Delilah

Age 13-17

First place: Carley Austin from New Sharon, Nana’s Child

18-plus

First place: Jessica Kalfaian from Farmington, The Way Home

Second place: Muriel Schleider from Chesterville, V

Third place: Claire Levesque from Hudson, Fan Out

Students of Literacy Volunteers

First place: Anna Crocket from Jay, Picture a Poem

Second place: Elizabeth Beaudette from Jay, My Heart Wasn’t Ready

Third place: Lacey Ann Elder from Farmington, BBQ

The collection of winning poems will be published at westernmaineliteracy.org and in a poetry chapbook. Contest prizes are gift certificates at stores in Farmington. First place is $25 at Devaney Doak & Garrett Booksellers; second place, $15 at Twice Sold Tales bookstore, and third place, $10 at Java Joe’s.

A special reading of the winning poetry is being planned, the date and location of which are to be determined.

Kuehn, who served as an intern with the Beloit Poetry Journal in 2013 and 2014, is on the Belfast Poetry Festival committee and is a convener for an annual poetry conference in Nobleboro.

For more information, visit the website or call 207-500-3131.