The Poetry Contest Finalists
The Gaithersburg Book Festival, has selected the finalists for its 7th annual poetry contest for high school students. The students had to write a poem on “civic duty” and what it means to them. More than 100 entries were submitted by students across the DMV region.
The finalists, listed in alphabetical order with the school they attend, city in which they reside and grade, are:
- Alexander Belter of Appomattox Regional Governor’s School (Capron, Va.; grade 12)
- Sebastian Biros of British International School of Washington (Washington, D.C.; grade 11)
- Leah Bulson of Richard Montgomery High School (Rockville, Md.; grade 12)
- Natalia Coronado-Mercer of Appomattox Regional Governor’s School (Richmond, Va.; grade 10)
- Ananya Gautam of Winston Churchill High School (Potomac, Md.; grade 12)
- Nathan Jaquette of Oakton High School (Oakton, Va.; grade 10)
- Rosie Lee of Holton-Arms School (Potomac, Md.; grade 9)
- Tris Meagher of Appomattox Regional Governor’s School (Midlothian, Va.; grade 10)
- Gloria Owolabi of Annapolis Senior High School (Hanover, Md.; grade 11)
- Lillian Payne of Annapolis Senior High School (Annapolis, Md.; grade 10)
- Anuraag San of Richard Montgomery High School (Rockville, Md.; grade 11)
- Kristen Swain of Richard Montgomery High School (Rockville, Md.; grade 12)
The first-, second-, and third-place winners and the fan favorite will be announced on the Festival website Monday, May 19, by 2025 judge Holly Karapetkova, who will select the top three entries.
You can vote for fan favorite by clicking the “like” button at the end of each poem that you choose.
Join us for the awards ceremony at GBF on May 17th!