Et cetera : Announcing Iowa Poetry Association Contest Winners

The Iowa Poetry Association will soon release its 75th Anniversary Edition of Lyrical Iowa, the annual anthology comprised of poems by Iowa writers of all ages. According to Editor Marilyn Baszczynski, within the pages of this year's Lyrical Iowa, poems explore myriad experiences of anniversaries, life, death, love and joy while taking the reader on nuanced emotional and spiritual journeys, some gentle, others less so-a trek from old bra hooks for repairing turtle shells to a child's big and beautiful world where we must not litter, all while running past Zeus and dragons along the way. Also included is a history of the organization by Lucille Morgan Wilson (past Editor), appreciated for her decades of dedicated service and personal commitment. Also included is a Foreword by Iowa's Poet Laureate, Debra Marquart, who has supported IPA throughout the years, also serving several times as critic at their biannual workshops. This anthology features 329 poems chosen from 1,719 entries in their contest held earlier this year. Entries came from 139 towns in 75 of Iowa's 99 counties, sent by persons ranging in age from kindergartners to near-centenarians.
The Iowa Poetry Association has over 350 members across the state, but membership is not a requirement for having poetry included in the anthology. Besides those awarded cash prizes for top-ranking poems in each category and age-level, many others are showcased in this perfect-bound 172-page book with a full-color cover. The non-profit organization's mission is to promote interest in and appreciation of poetry among Iowans through educational opportunities, poetry writing contests and the publication of an annual anthology of Iowa poetry. Besides sponsoring the annual contests, IPA offers two workshops each year, held in Des Moines and plans to add monthly virtual mini-workshops in 2021.
Association board officers are: Jerrold J. Narland of Winterset, President; Max Molleston of Coralville, 1st Vice-President; Maxine Carlson of Iowa City, 2nd Vice-President and Historian; Margaret Westvold of Ames, Secretary; Linda S. Harris of Altoona,Treasurer; Shelly Reed Thieman of West Des Moines as Communications Officer; Dawn Sly-Terpstra of Lynnville, Workshop Coordinator; Rodney Reeves of Burlington, Nominations; and Marilyn J. Baszczynski of Earlham, Editor and Contest Chair.
For the Lyrical Iowa Competition 2021, entries may be sent January 1 - February 28, 2021. Please consult the complete contest rules for adult, college, high school and grade school entries on our website at www.iowapoetry.com. The contest will be announced in all print newspapers in January, in public libraries through their newsletters and a direct mailing is being sent to public and private schools across the state. There is no entry fee and modest cash prizes are offered.
Due to the continuing spread of COVID-19 and concerns regarding large gatherings, the Iowa Poetry Association has decided to postpone celebrating its 75th Anniversary until October 23-24, 2021; updates will be posted on our website at www.iowapoetry.com. A new category for 'Poems of the Pandemic' will be included in the 2021 contest.
While the supply lasts, books may be ordered from the editor. Cost is $10 per copy (plus shipping) to anywhere in the United States. Books from some previous years are also available. See our website for more info or contact the Editor at ipa@iowapoetry.com.
Winners of LYRICAL IOWA COMPETITION 2020
SCHOOL DIVISION RESULTS:

Some student poems entered in the 2020 contest will be selected to be sent to next year's National Student Award
Iowa Poetry Association-Lyrical Iowa Competition 2020-Counties(All poets listed have one poem selected for publication. If a poem won in a category, rank and category follow name)
COUNTY:BENTON: Jan Logan. Van HorneBUCHANAN: Michael Andorf, Brandon; Myrna Sandvik, Brandon; Lisa Ross Thedens, Walker

SCHOOL:
UNION: Joan Jessen Waske, Afton