ANNOUNCEMENT

Date: April 26, 2025

Time:  1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Location:  Multipurpose Room, Joe A. Guerra Laredo Public Library located at 1120 E. Calton Road

Subject:

• Dreams and Aspirations are the central theme for the 22^nd Annual Poetry Festival.

Rules of Participation:

• A poem in its entirety must be an original work by the person entering the contest; plagiarized poems will be disqualified.
• Poems may be written in any standard format.
• Text should be typed. Font size 12
• Poems should be no longer than 2 pages, double-spaced.
• Submit 2 copies of your poem, 1 with no name on it.
  Poetry submissions may be submitted online or in person at the Joe A. Guerra Laredo Public Library located at 1120 E. Calton Rd.
• Only one entry per person will be accepted; no co-authors of a poem will be accepted.
• The poem will be accepted via the website and in person.
• The application form needs to be filled out.
• The parents or legal guardian will fill out the Release Form for students under 18.

Language:

• English or Spanish.
• Mix English and Spanish

Participants:

• Students from LISD, UISD, private schools, and homeschooling.
• Adults 18 and over.

Method:

• Divide all contestants by age and grade level.
• The deadline for submitting poems is by 6:00 p.m. at the Joe A. Guerra Laredo Public Library located at 1120 E. Calton Rd. 
• 3-7 judges in each group will review all poems received & select the top 3 winners and 1-3 honorable mention recipients.
• The top 3 winners in each group will read their poems and receive prizes and gift bags.
• Honorable Mentions will receive gift bags and the option to read their poems.
• All participants will receive certificates of participation.

 Results:

• Publish the winners’ poems.
• Continue the Poetry Festival every year as a local educational activity.

Sponsors:

• Laredo College
• Laredo Independent School District
• Texas A & M International University
• United Independent School District
• Laredo Public Libraries

DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING POEMS IS FEBURARY 7^th