Skip to main content

Julius Sokenu Poetry Awards

award winners read their poetry on stage

The Julius Sokenu Poetry Awards is CT State Quinebaug Valley’s annual poetry contest!

Students may submit up to three original poems in each category for which they are eligible.

Student award winners will be honored in a celebration each April. Student award winners are expected to attend.

Prize Categories and Eligibility

Cash Prizes – 1st $100 / 2nd $50 / 3rd $50 – are offered in each of these five categories:

  • English: Quinebaug Valley students only. No QMC students, even if registered for college courses.
  • Spanish (Heritage Speakers): Quinebaug Valley  students or QMC students for whom Spanish is their first language
  • Spanish (Non-Heritage Speakers): Quinebaug Valley students or QMC students for whom Spanish is not their first language
  • Performance Poetry: Quinebaug Valley students or QMC students
  • QMC English: QMC students only

Contact Us

Jon Andersen
Email: jonathan.andersen@ctstate.edu
Phone: 860-932-4054

Deneuve Hernandez
Email: deneuvemazarin.hernandez@ctstate.edu
Phone: 860-932-4119

Contest Rules

  1. Submissions must be entered by deadline. Please check back for upcoming deadline.
  2. ONLY original poems by the student are eligible. Entries may be scrutinized using AI and plagiarism detection software. Poems written using AI or language that is not the student’s own (other than short quotations indicated as such and credited) will be disqualified, and the student will face possible disciplinary procedure. Refer to page 61 of the CT State Student Handbook.
  3. Submissions must be made ONLINE. Use the form below to submit your poem(s) as an attachment or a link. If sending a link, be certain you have shared access privileges so the file can be opened. If you need assistance, contact Deneuve Hernandez at ldeneuvemazarin.hernandez@ctstate.edu.
  4. Submissions are read and judged blind by a committee of QVCC faculty and staff. To protect this process, your name must NOT appear in the document(s) containing your poem(s). The online submission form will create the ID link between poems and poets, necessary to identify prize winners after the poems are judged.  Again, the online form will assure that we know you are the author of any poem you submit.
  5. Prizes are offered in ALL five categories: 1st $100 / 2nd $50 / 3rd $50. The Committee reserves the right to not grant an award, to choose co-winners, and to add honorable mentions.
  6. Students can submit up to three poems in each category for which they are eligible, but they cannot win more than one award in any category. QMC Students who are taking college courses are not eligible for the Quinebaug Valley English category.