Education

Gaithersburg Book Festival Announces 2025 High School Poetry Contest Finalists

By MCS Staff
The Gaithersburg Book Festival has announced the finalists for its 7th annual high school poetry contest. This year’s theme, “Civic Duty,” inspired more than 130 young poets from Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia to share their powerful and thought-provoking perspectives.

Per the Gaithersburg Book Festival, the finalists, listed in alphabetical order, with the school they attend, city in which they reside and grade, are:
  • Alexander Belter, Appomattox Regional Governor’s School (Capron, Va.; grade 12)
  • Sebastian Biros, British International School of Washington (Washington, D.C.; grade 11)
  • Leah Bulson, Richard Montgomery High School (Rockville, Md.; grade 12)
  • Natalia Coronado-Mercer, Appomattox Regional Governor’s School (Richmond, Va.; grade 10)
  • Ananya Gautam, Winston Churchill High School (Potomac, Md.; grade 12)
  • Nathan Jaquette, Oakton High School (Oakton, Va.; grade 10)
  • Rosie Lee, Holton-Arms School (Potomac, Md.; grade 9)
  • Tris Meagher, Appomattox Regional Governor’s School (Midlothian, Va.; grade 10)
  • Gloria Owolabi, Annapolis Senior High School (Hanover, Md.; grade 11)
  • Lillian Payne, Annapolis Senior High School (Annapolis, Md.; grade 10)
  • Anuraag San, Richard Montgomery High School (Rockville, Md.; grade 11)

  • Kristen Swain, Richard Montgomery High School (Rockville, Md.; grade 12)

Holly Karapetkova, Arlington County Poet Laureate Emerita, will select the top three entries. The first-, second- and third-place winners, and the fan favorite, will be announced on Saturday, May 17 at the Gaithersburg Book Festival (10:15 a.m. in the Poe tent). “We are living in a time of tremendous uncertainty, but the voices of these young writers give me hope for our future,” Karapetkova said. “Writing poetry is an act of courage, and these poems are a testament to the resilience of the young people in our community, to their ability to keep working toward a better world.”

The 12 finalist poems have been posted to the Gaithersburg Book Festival website so visitors can read the entries and vote for their favorite. Fan favorite voting will close on Friday, May 9, at 11 p.m. ET. Prizes for first-, second- and third-place winners are $250, $100 and $50, respectively. The fan favorite winner will receive $25.

“Our talented student poets thoughtfully engaged with this year’s theme, civic duty, and its importance to themselves and society,” said Jud Ashman, founder of the Festival and Mayor of the City of Gaithersburg.  “We are so proud to spotlight all of these emerging artists at the Gaithersburg Book Festival.”
To be eligible for the poetry contest, students had to be enrolled in grades 9-12 at a public or private school, or be in a homeschool program, for the 2024-25 school year. Additionally, entrants had to reside in Maryland, Virginia or the District of Columbia.

About the Gaithersburg Book Festival: The Gaithersburg Book Festival is an annual all-day celebration of books, writers and literary excellence, which is celebrating 16 years in 2025. One of the premier literary events in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, the 2025 Festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, at Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm (506 S. Frederick Ave.) in Gaithersburg, Md. Activities will include author appearances, discussions and book signings; writing workshops; a Children’s Village; onsite sales of new and used books; literary exhibitors; and food, drink, ice cream and more. Admission and shuttles from Shady Grove Metro and Montgomery County Fairgrounds are FREE. The Gaithersburg Book Festival also hosts author events in Montgomery County throughout the year as a way to encourage continued appreciation for all things literary.