Five young poets from the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) in Edgecomb placed in the 2023 Sarah Mook Poetry Contest. This year, over 900 entries came from 29 states and also from South Korea, Nepal, China, and India. Winning poems came from 7 different states and from China, and five of those winners were from CTL!

In the Kindergarten (K-only) division, Finley Barnes-Vieten placed second for her poem "Leaves of Fall," and Arlo Aeppli placed third for his poem "Then and Now." The Kindergarten (K-only) Awards were sponsored and judged by Sarah Mook's kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Olwen Jarvis. Award letters include her comments on each winning poem, a check to be used for the purchase of books for each of the winning poets’ school libraries, and book plates which acknowledge each poet’s achievement. 

In addition to kindergarten winners, Estella Wigg took third place for her poem "Sitting on the Dock" in the grades 3-5 division. In the grades 6-8 division, Josephine Shea placed second for "An Abecedarian for Dad," and Meghan Arnold placed third for her poem "You and I."  All winners in these divisions will receive cash prizes and international recognition through publication on the Sarah Mook website.

The contest was created in memory of Sarah Mook, a Pennsylvania student and young poet who suddenly passed away while in third grade in 1995. Her family created the contest to honor Sarah and to inspire and encourage young poets. Winning poems will be published in a few weeks at http://www.sarahmookpoetrycontest.com/