An exciting new project has emerged from the Gerontology Institute. Working with director John Krout, professor Katharyn Howd Machan of the Department of Writing is currently coordinating a statewide poetry contest for high school students.
New York teenagers in grades 9-12 are being asked to write poems (of any length and in any form) which celebrate their family members, friends, or role models who have reached the age of 60 or beyond. Entries will be submitted to Ithaca College online.
"Poetry is part of the lives of so many young people today all across the country," Machan says. "I am certain that with teachers' encouragement many students will write verse suitable for our contest, and our call for this work will help to make them aware of what IC's Gerontology Institute offers."
Sponsored by the Linden Center for Creativity and Aging, the contest is offering first, second, and third prizes of $300, $200, and $100, with two $50 honorable-mention awards as well. Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges affiliated with Ithaca College and will be invited to read their poems at the Gerontology Institute's reception on campus as part of the Finger Lakes Literary Festival to be held in Ithaca during October of 2009.
If you know any young New York State poets, please tell them about the contest. Immediate family members of Ithaca College employee are not eligible to participate. The deadline for entries is June 15, 2009, and the web page for submission is www.ithaca.edu/gerontology/poetrycontest. Professor Machan (machan@ithaca.edu or 607-274-3325) will be happy to answer any questions.
