ST. PAUL, MN [03/23/12] — In recognition of the Month of the Military Child and National Poetry Month in April, U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) announced today that he is hosting a poetry contest for children of military families in Minnesota.
“Being part of a military family isn’t easy,” said Sen. Franken. “With this poetry contest, I hope to not only recognize the extraordinary work of men and women serving across the world, but also their children, who sacrifice so much when a parent is called away.”
The contest is open to all school-age children of military families in Minnesota. The three age categories are 1) Kindergarten to sixth grade; 2) Seventh to ninth grades; and 3) 10th to 12th grades. Winners from each category will receive an invitation to attend a reception at Sen. Franken’s St. Paul office to meet the senator and his wife, Franni.
Also on hand at the reception will be several special guest judges, including Minnesota Commissioner of Education Dr. Brenda Cassellius; Minnesota Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Larry Shellito; Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard, Major General Nash; Minnesota Poet Laureate Joyce Sutphen; Minnesota author Kao Kalia Yang; and Minnesota Lynx Coach Cheryl Reeve.
Top winning poems in each category will be framed and displayed in Sen. Franken’s offices in St. Paul and Washington, D.C. The overall winner will receive an autographed book by famed Minnesota author Garrison Keillor.
For entrance in Sen. Franken’s poetry contest, please submit a poem by April 16, 2012 to poetry@franken.senate.gov or by mail to:
Office of Sen. Al Franken
c/o ‘Poetry Contest’
60 Plato Boulevard East, Suite 220
St. Paul, MN 55107
Participants may only submit one entry, no longer than 300 words. Each entry must include the child's name, the parent/guardian’s name, a phone number and home address, and the name of the child’s school. Please clearly indicate participant’s age category.
