Young Writers’ Prize: The Kenyon Review

Every year, The Kenyon Review hosts the Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers, “named in honor of Patricia Grodd in recognition of her generous support of The Kenyon Review and its programs, as well as her passionate commitment to education and deep love for poetry.” Judged by Poetry Editor David Baker, the prize awards high school sophomores and juniors with a full scholarship to the Kenyon Review Young Writers workshop as well as publication in The Kenyon Review. Featured in the most recent issue of the magazine are the winners from the 2012 contest, the ninth year of the contest.

For the first time, says Baker, “I have opted to present two first-prize designations to two equally fine yet notably different poems. The screening and judging is done through a blind process—no identifying names or origins on the individual poems—so let me congratulate all three poets whose work has risen to the top this year.”

The poems of the two first place winners and the runner up, as well as commentary from Baker, can be read in the Fall 2012 issue of The Kenyon Review.

First-Prize Winners
Victoria White: “Elephant Grave”
Truman Zhang: “Dear Poet”

Runner-Up
Nandita Karambelkar: “Rangoli”