In celebration of Nation Poetry Month, April 2007, Lake County youth between 8 and 18 years of age are invited to participate in the “Youth Writes” Poetry Contest. There will be prizes for all who participate.

Tryouts will be held throughout the month of April at a variety of local venues. Poets will be judged on the quality of their poems and the strength of their performance. Several poets will be invited to read at The Art and Nature Show at Rodman Slough at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 5.

To participate, simply show up at any of the selected venues and perform one or two original poems. Each poet will need a permission slip signed by a parent or guardian and will need to provide a contact number or email address. There is no need to pre-register. The poems may be on any topic, however poems about art, nature and environment are encouraged.

Please arrive on time for the try-outs.