Calling all youth poets! Help support animals in need by writing a poem

Seeking poems for a youth poetry contest supporting animals in need

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed February 19, 2020 10:15 AM

The City of Nanaimo’s Youth Poet Laureate, Valina Zanetti, and the Nanaimo BCSPCA invite local youth to help celebrate a milestone for the charity with a youth poetry contest. As BC’s oldest charity, the BCSPCA is marking 125 years of rescuing and protecting animals. Youth between the ages of between the ages of 11 and 18 are invited to submit their original poems on the following BCSPCA topics:

• BCSPCA Rescue Stories (Refer to real BCSPCA rescue stories www.spca.bc.ca/adoption_stories)
• Your Own Pet Rescue Stories
• Habitat Loss/Endangered Animals

Twenty poems will be chosen to create a poetry collection book. Of the twenty chosen poems, poets of the Top 3 poems will receive awards and cash prizes presented at a City Council meeting, and attend an unveiling event at the Nanaimo BCSPCA on April 23 to read their poems. The final poetry collection book will be provided to the Nanaimo BCSPCA to raise money for the animals in their care.

"This contest is a fabulous opportunity! Not only will you be aiding in raising funds for animals in need, but you will also be able to express your poetic talent. I, myself have loved animals for as long as I can remember, and have found that poetry has become very important to me as well," said Valina Zanetti, Youth Poet Laureate, "For these reasons, I was very excited that I got the support to introduce this new poetry contest. I hope to see many youth poets take part in this contest! Have fun creating, and good luck!"

"We are thrilled to partner with Nanaimo’s Youth Poet Laureate to combine helping animals with youth creativity", added Blaire Sigson, Regional Humane Educator, BCSPCA Nanaimo, "Only by including our youth, can we have a chance at creating a positive and hopeful future for animals. We look forward to reading all of your wonderful poetry!"

Get full contest guidelines online (https://www.nanaimo.ca/NewsReleases/NR200219CallAllYouthPoetsHelpSupportAnimalsInNeedByWritingAPoem/Attachments/calling-all-poets-contest-guidelines.pdf), attached to this press release or by emailing callingallpoets@nanaimo.ca.

The deadline for poem submission is Monday, March 30, 2020.

Print News Release

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