“We’ve always been Children of a Common River” - Michael A. Josephson (1943-2024)
In 1941, in Clatsop County, eleven- and twelve-year-old students from 23 different schools entered a poetry contest. Their poems were preserved in the archives of the Clatsop County Historical Society.
In February 2024, local Astoria Poet, Jennifer Nightingale was asked to share her work at the FisherPoet’s gathering. She wanted to underscore that fishing and poetry have been part of our Lower Columbia collective identity for a very long time. Nightingale explored the archives of Clatsop County Historical Society for inspiration and discovered 70 plus poems from 1940, written by children from Clifton to Cannon Beach.
Columbia River Maritime Museum is proud to bring this competition back. This first year back the inaugural theme is “River.”
Students in 6th or 7th grades in the following counties are eligible: Clatsop, Columbia, and Tillamook in Oregon plus Pacific, Wahkiakum, and Cowlitz in Washington.
Poetry submissions will be accepted online with judged county competitions then county finalists will be invited for an in-person presentation at Columbia River Maritime Museum.
Participation in this competition will assist in meeting the below standards
6th grade
OR Standards: 6.W.1c, 6.W.2c, 6.W.3b, 6.W.3d, 6.W.7, 6.L.3
WA Standards: W.6.3, W.6.7, L.6.1, L.6.5
7th grade
OR Standards: 7.W.1d, 7.W.2e, 7.W.3, 7.W.3b, 7.W.7
WA Standards: W.7.3, W.7.7, L.7.1, L.7.5
Timeline
Online Submission Deadline: May 1st.
County Finalists selected: May 9th at 12 noon.
Regional Finals: Saturday, May 31st.
If selected as a finalist, one (1) adult and one (1) youth complimentary tickets to CRMM will be provided to assist in presenting at the final judging.
Awards & Judges are actively being compiled. Interested in providing a prize or serving as a judge? Click Here.
Submit Poem Here.
In 1941, in Clatsop County, eleven- and twelve-year-old students from 23 different schools entered a poetry contest. Their poems were preserved in the archives of the Clatsop County Historical Society.
In February 2024, local Astoria Poet, Jennifer Nightingale was asked to share her work at the FisherPoet’s gathering. She wanted to underscore that fishing and poetry have been part of our Lower Columbia collective identity for a very long time. Nightingale explored the archives of Clatsop County Historical Society for inspiration and discovered 70 plus poems from 1940, written by children from Clifton to Cannon Beach.
Columbia River Maritime Museum is proud to bring this competition back. This first year back the inaugural theme is “River.”
Students in 6th or 7th grades in the following counties are eligible: Clatsop, Columbia, and Tillamook in Oregon plus Pacific, Wahkiakum, and Cowlitz in Washington.
Poetry submissions will be accepted online with judged county competitions then county finalists will be invited for an in-person presentation at Columbia River Maritime Museum.
Participation in this competition will assist in meeting the below standards
6th grade
OR Standards: 6.W.1c, 6.W.2c, 6.W.3b, 6.W.3d, 6.W.7, 6.L.3
WA Standards: W.6.3, W.6.7, L.6.1, L.6.5
7th grade
OR Standards: 7.W.1d, 7.W.2e, 7.W.3, 7.W.3b, 7.W.7
WA Standards: W.7.3, W.7.7, L.7.1, L.7.5
Timeline
Online Submission Deadline: May 1st.
County Finalists selected: May 9th at 12 noon.
Regional Finals: Saturday, May 31st.
If selected as a finalist, one (1) adult and one (1) youth complimentary tickets to CRMM will be provided to assist in presenting at the final judging.
Awards & Judges are actively being compiled. Interested in providing a prize or serving as a judge? Click Here.
Submit Poem Here.
