Somers Point's Junior poet
Once a year the Arts Commission has a Poetry Writing Competition for 8th grade students in the Somers Point Public Schools. First Prize winner is named our Junior Poet for the year, receives a certificate, and is recognized at a City Council meeting. They often get to read their poems at a Council Meeting and at Poetry in the Park.
2023 Winners
1st Place - Jaida Carasick, who is now our 2023 Junior Poet Laureate, for her poem, “The Beauty Of Somers Point”
2nd Place - Geoffrey L. for his poem, “Home”
3rd Place - Mars T. for the poem, “Known Home”
2022 Winners
1st place - Ashley D., who is now our 2022 Junior Poet Laureate, for her poem, “What is Home.”
2nd place - Sam for his poem, “Life in Somers Point”
3rd place - Alison for her poem, “Somers Point, My Oldest Home”
2021 Winners - 1st place Camila Ramos-Reyna; 2nd place Hayley Ireland; 3rd place Marti Harper
2020 Winner - Kailin Cass
2019 Winner - Kwame Gyasi
2023 Winners
1st Place - Jaida Carasick, who is now our 2023 Junior Poet Laureate, for her poem, “The Beauty Of Somers Point”
2nd Place - Geoffrey L. for his poem, “Home”
3rd Place - Mars T. for the poem, “Known Home”
2022 Winners
1st place - Ashley D., who is now our 2022 Junior Poet Laureate, for her poem, “What is Home.”
2nd place - Sam for his poem, “Life in Somers Point”
3rd place - Alison for her poem, “Somers Point, My Oldest Home”
2021 Winners - 1st place Camila Ramos-Reyna; 2nd place Hayley Ireland; 3rd place Marti Harper
2020 Winner - Kailin Cass
2019 Winner - Kwame Gyasi