The Sawyer Free Library recently named the winners of the 2024 Poetry Without Paper contest during an awards ceremony at the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church. The event was marked by heartfelt readings from the award-winning students before a standing-room-only crowd of friends, family, and community members, all gathered to celebrate their achievements.
The awards were presented by former Poet Laureate of Gloucester John Ronan and newly retired Children’s Librarian Christy Rosso.
Rosso, affectionately known as Miss Christy, was honored for her 29 years of dedicated service at the library. During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in developing, organizing and growing the annual poetry contest, fostering a love for writing among thousands of young Gloucester residents.
Ronan, who co-founded the contest 22 years ago and continues to serve as its judge, shared some personal thoughts on Rosso’s involvement in the program and years of service at Sawyer Free Library, expressing the community’s deep gratitude for her unwavering dedication and nurturing presence.
“Christy’s impact on our community’s children is immeasurable. Her passion and commitment have left an indelible mark on all who have had the privilege to know her,” Ronan said.
Celebrating its 22nd year, Poetry Without Paper has inspired thousands of the community’s young writers to express themselves through poetry and prose. The competition encourages kindergartners through high schoolers to share their love of writing and connection to Gloucester’s creative spirit. Each year, the variety and depth of the student poetry range from expected subjects like the beach, school, and family to just as surprisingly deep, mature poems about issues facing the world around them.
From over 500 submissions, winners were selected from each age group: high school, middle school, and elementary school. The young poets were awarded certificates and shared over $1,000 in prizes. Additionally, all winning poets received an invitation to appear on 1623 Studio’s production, “The Writer’s Block with John Ronan,” and their winning work will be published online by the library.
The Poetry Without Paper contest remains a cornerstone of the Sawyer Free Library’s mission to nurture and celebrate the literary talents of Gloucester’s youth. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and participants for their outstanding contributions and look forward to their future creative endeavors.
For more information about the Poetry Without Paper contest or other Sawyer Free Library programs, please visit www.SawyerFreeLibrary.org.
2024 Poetry without Paper Winners
Elementary
First: Helen Larabell, Plum Cove Elementary, fourth grade, “Believe.”
Second: Kat Rowe-Joyce, West Parish Elementary, fifth grade, “Last Time.”
Third: Sophia Oliveira, West Parish, fourth grade, “Perfect Life.”
Honorable mention: Freja McLanahan, Beeman Elementary, first grade, “The Angry Guardians”; and Adelia Crowell, Plum Cove, fifth grade, “The Cat of Lanesville.”
Middle School
First: Vivian Payne, O’Maley Innovation Middle School, eighth grade, “Regrets.”
Second: Vivian Davies, O’Maley, seventh grade, “Pen to Paper.”
Third: Matilda Bruce, O’Maley, seventh grade, “Silence.”
Honorable mention: Iona Fishburn, Waring School, sixth grade, “My Cold Walk Around the Block”; and Alivia Deyeso, O’Maley, seventh grade, “Silence Poem.”
High School
First: Johnny Sheridan, Waring School, 11th grade, “Elegy for the Impermanent.”
Second: Emma Wilt, Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical High School, “Not Quite a Dream.”
Third: Aleena Brown, Gloucester High School, ninth grade, “Ambcatcher31.”
Honorable mention: Hope Castelucci, Gloucester High, 10th grade, “Yellow”; and Phoebe Hone, Gloucester High, 10th grade “What Redemption Feels Like.”
Photo 2: Christy Rosso and John Ronan
Photo 3: 2024 PWP Winners
Back row, left to right: Vivian Payne, Vivian Davies, Alivia Deyeso, Matilda Bruce, Hope Castelucci, Phoebe Hone
Front row, left to right: Freja McLanahan, Kat Rowe-Joyce, Adelia Crowell, Helen Larabell
Missing from photo: Sophia Oliveira, Iona Fishburn, Johnny Sheridan, Emma Wilt, Aleena Brown