The Sawyer Free Library proudly announced the winners of the 2025 Poetry Without Paper contest during an inspiring awards ceremony held on Tuesday evening, June 17, 2025, at the Gloucester High School Library. A standing-room-only crowd of friends, families, and community members gathered to celebrate Gloucester’s young literary talents. The evening featured moving readings from the student winners, showcasing both creativity and emotional depth across all age groups.
Now in its 23rd year, Poetry Without Paper continues to ignite imagination and passion for writing among Gloucester’s youth. This year’s contest, themed New Chapter, New Stories, New Beginnings, invited students to reflect on fresh starts and new possibilities—a timely prompt as the Library prepares to move into its newly renovated and expanded space.
From nearly 200 submissions, winners were selected from three categories: elementary, middle, and high school. The contest awarded over $1,000 in prizes, including Cape Ann gift certificates for top winners and poetry books for honorable mentions. In addition to certificates and public recognition, winning poets were invited to appear on The Writer’s Block with John Ronan, a 1623 Studios production. Their work will also be featured on the Sawyer Free Library’s website.
The awards were presented by former Gloucester Poet Laureate and contest co-founder John Ronan, with newly appointed Gloucester Co Poet Laureate Heidi Wakeman. Together, they honored the accomplishments of the young poets and emphasized the importance of poetry in giving voice to the next generation.
“For more than two decades, the Sawyer Free Library has fostered a love of poetry, providing young writers with a space to express themselves,” said Library Director Jenny Benedict. “This year’s entries were particularly powerful and deeply reflective—proof that poetry continues to thrive among Gloucester’s youth.”
John Ronan shared in his opening remarks, “Over the years, we’ve received thousands of poems from hundreds upon hundreds of students. And this year—like every year—I was once again impressed by the maturity, insight, and intelligence in their work. These young poets are paying close attention to the world around them and are sharing their hopes, fears, and reflections through poetry.”
Heidi Wakeman followed by saying, “Poetry is a powerful way of expressing language,” and added, “What a great night for Gloucester as we celebrate these talented young writers.”
The Poetry Without Paper contest is open each spring to Gloucester students in grades K–12. Participants are encouraged to explore a theme but may write on any topic in 30 lines or fewer.
For more information about Poetry Without Paper, to read the winning poems, or to learn more about Sawyer Free Library’s youth programming, visit www.SawyerFreeLibrary.org
The Sawyer Free Library extends heartfelt congratulations to all participants and winners and looks forward to the continued growth of Gloucester’s young literary voices.
Sawyer Free Library: 2025 Poetry Without Paper Winners
Elementary School Winners
1st Place: Laszlo Jablanczy, Plum Cove, Grade 3, “Bird House”
2nd Place: Freja Hinderlie McLanahan, Beeman, Grade 2, “The Worst Life of Bad Luck!”
3rd Place: Sophia Deoliveira, West Parish, Grade 5, “Take care of Your Self”
HM: Ilani Mione, East Veterans, Grade 5, “Moving On”
HM: Sigrid Fishburn, West Parish Grade 4, “New Chapter”
Middle School Winners
1st Place: Iona Fishburn, Waring School, Grade 7, “A Poem for Francie”
2nd Place: Yenssi Erazo, O’Maley Innovation Middle School, Grade 7, “Doubts that Won’t Go Away”
3rd Place: Elizabeth Olson, O’Maley Innovation Middle School, Grade 8, “My Chance”
HM: Addy LeClaire, O’Maley Innovation Middle School, Grade 7, “Heal the Woes”
HM: Kendall Brown, O’Maley Innovation Middle School, Grade 7, “Growing My Wings”
High School Winners:
1st Place: Aleena Brown, GHS, Grade 10, “Where I Belong”
2nd Place: Emma Wilt, Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School, Grade 11, “Reflection”
3rd Place: Lacey Barry, GHS, Grade 9, “Surviving”
HM: Emma Hoke, GHS, Grade 9, “Notes Between the Margins”
HM: Vivian Payne, Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, Grade 9, “Canary in the Coal Mines”
Cape Ann Community 