July 15, 2020
Cowboy Poetry Contest
Attached and below is a notice of a brand new opportunity for Kansas 4-Hers and other youth - the Kansas Cowboy Poetry Youth Roundup. Youth are encouraged to enter, write an original cowboy poem and submit a video of it for evaluation. The entire contest is online. Those who enter can win prizes and educational scholarships. There is no charge to enter. Deadline to enter is August 15, 2020.
Please post, share, telegraph, signal flag, or whatever you can do to get out the word. Thank you!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KANSAS TO HOST FIRST-EVER COWBOY POETRY YOUTH CONTEST VIRTUALLY
Manhattan, KS – In 2020, the Kansas Cowboy Poetry Contest is sponsoring its first-ever youth cowboy poetry contest. Called the Youth Roundup, it is a virtual competition for Kansas cowboys and cowgirls 18 years old or younger.
“We invite 4-H and FFA members and other Kansas youth to enter, write and share a video of them presenting a cowboy poem,” said poetry contest chair Ron Wilson of the Lazy T Ranch near Manhattan. “A cowboy poem is rhyming verse which tells a story or in some way relates to the life of the American cowboy,” Wilson said. There is no charge to enter.
The champion will receive a trophy buckle and the top three winners will receive a certificate signed by the Governor of Kansas and an educational scholarship. Each contestant is to write an original western-themed poem and record a video of him or herself presenting it. That video will be submitted to a panel of judges for placing. There will also be an opportunity for the public to vote for their favorites online.
“We are so grateful for the sponsors’ generosity which makes this possible: The Flint Hills Discovery Center Foundation, Kansas Farm Bureau, the International Western Music Association – Kansas Chapter, and the International Western Music Association – Western Wordsmiths Chapter,” Wilson said.
Entry information can be found at www.cowboypoetryyouthroundup.com. Videos must be submitted by August 15, 2020. Poems are to be original work. They can be serious or humorous. They will be evaluated based on quality, theme, and delivery. Examples and additional information can be found on the website.
First place will receive a $500 scholarship, second $300, and third $200. The funds are to be used for post-secondary education or technical training. If the recipient is not scheduled to graduate this year or next, the funds will be held for the recipient's future use.
Contest committee members include Jeff Davidson of Eureka, Geff Dawson of Alma, Martha Farrell of Towanda, Orin Friesen of Benton, and Brad Hamilton of Hoyt. This year’s adult cowboy poetry contest is being conducted virtually as well.
For more information on the youth contest, go to www.cowboypoetryyouthroundup.com.