GULF SHORES, Ala. – The seventh annual Pleasure Island Poetry Contest has concluded. The contest was sponsored by the Gulf Shores (Thomas B. Norton) and Orange Beach Public Libraries and their Friends organizations.

It is an annual literacy event held in April to celebrate National Poetry Month.

The contest was open to all students in kindergarten through 12th grade that are patrons of the libraries. Certificates and prizes were awarded to 26 authors of the winning entries. Orange Beach Public Library Children’s Librarian, Patsy Rose, visited local schools to hand out awards and prizes and meet some of the young poets.

Poems were accepted in any poetic form and were judged based on theme development, creative use of language, and appeal to the senses. The prizes at each grade level were $50 for first prize, $35 for second prize and $25 for third prize. Several students were awarded certificates of Honorable Mention. Winners of the 2012 Poetry Contest include:

Among K-5-first- graders, Daniel Flowers rated a superior, Allie Kolzer rated exceptional, and Ben Antony was rated excellent. Houston Bryant received honorable mention.

Among second- and third-graders, Taylor Berry won superior, Elli Minish won exceptional, Caymen Russell won excellent and another of Berry’s entries was honorable mention.

Among fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders, Isabella Alberti won superior, Luke Schlauder won exceptional, Mack Nall and Chase Silvers tied for excellent and Andrea Phillips and Montana Rowland won honorable mention.

Among seventh- and eighth-graders, Blake Irwin won superior, Joe Odeneal won exceptional, Isabella Cranston won excellent and Sophia LaPlame received honorable mention.

Among ninth- and 10th-graders, Kali Templeton won superior, Gloria Ann Hankins won exceptional, Victoria Rome won excellent and another Templeton’s work received honorable mention.

Among 11th- and 12th-graders, Alex Templeton won superior, Cephia Blackwell won exceptional and Savannah Seavall won excellent. Cailey Mize won honorable mention.