Tom Lee Poetry & Spoken Word Contest
Recognizing outstanding poetry and spoken word inspired by Tom Lee and his qualities of courage, generosity and humanity.
Submission Opens: February 1, 2027 | Submission Closes: March 31, 2027
Tom Lee Poetry & Spoken Word Contest
High School Competition
Rules & Eligibility
The contest is open to students in grades 9-12 attending any high school in Shelby County, TN. Submissions must be original, unpublished work and limited to 40 lines. Previous contest winners are ineligible.
Prizes: 1st - $300, 2nd - $200, 3rd - $100
Winning teachers will receive gift cards in the same amount.
The contest is judged by award-winning poet and University of Memphis Professor, Marcus Wicker.
While writing about Tom Lee is not required, submissions should reflect themes of courage, generosity and humanity — qualities exemplified by Tom Lee.
Find Inspiration
Watch the spoken word performance Tom Lee: A Very Worthy Hero by Sebastian Carson and Tom Lee Park by Grammy-winning artist J. Ivy.
Congratulations Winners
2O26
FIRST PLACE - High School
Nevaeh McDuffy, Trezevant High School
SECOND PLACE - High School
Analeigh Ngo, Lausanne Collegiate School
THIRD PLACE - HIGH SCHOOL
Isabel Hasfjord, Houston High School
2O25
FIRST PLACE - High School
Katie Phan, Hutchison School
SECOND PLACE - High School
Jericka Self, Central High School
THIRD PLACE - HIGH SCHOOL
Christian Love, Lausanne Collegiate School
2O24
Mid-South - Adult
Rosalind Guy
FIRST PLACE - High School
Max McClung, Crosstown High
SECOND PLACE - High School
Owen McHaney, Crosstown High
THIRD PLACE - High School
Ajada McGowan, Central High School
2O23
FIRST PLACE - High School
Ana Hunter, Hutchison School
SECOND PLACE - High School
Riley Hancock, Crosstown High
THIRD PLACE - High School
Guadalupe Moctezuma Gatica, Central High School
2O22
FIRST PLACE - High School
Aayush Jain, White Station High School
SECOND PLACE - High School
Tamarrio Anderson, Memphis Business Academy
THIRD PLACE - High School
Logan Parson, Germantown High School