LCPS Students Win Annual Poetry Contest Prizes in Las Cruces

Several students from Las Cruces Public Schools won awards at the 4th annual Dr. Karen M. Trujillo Poetry Contest, held on May 20 at Organ Mountain High School, where over 40 original poems were submitted and judged. The event featured poetry readings by the winners and was hosted by Tim Staley, with guest remarks from Ricardo Gonzales and judge Joseph Somoza, highlighting themes of life, identity, and personal experience. Winners received cash prizes, and the Dr. Karen M. Trujillo Memorial Foundation has raised over $600,000 in scholarships for future educators in New Mexico. Separately, Livermore held its 9th annual "Poetry in a Test Tube" contest awards on May 14, celebrating the Tri-Valley’s scientific heritage with winners across multiple age divisions, including adults and children, and featuring more than 100 entries. The Griffin Poetry Prize announced its 2025 shortlist last month, with a $130,000 grand prize to be awarded June 4 in Toronto; Literary Hub interviewed shortlisted poets and translators about their reading habits and inspirations. These events collectively underscore the vibrant poetry community engaging students and adults alike through contests that encourage creative expression tied to personal, scientific, and literary themes.