Rachael Ikins wins NLAPW first place; Mary Gardner wins award in Biennial Poetry Competition; Sandy

Rachael Ikins won first prize for the Anita Boggs Memorial poetry contest offered by NLAPW Biennial competition. Ikins' free verse poem “Lost Babies” was written after reading a news story about a derelict building being torn down in Ireland that used to be a home for unwed mothers, and the septic tank revealed the bodies of 800 infants. Ikins also won honorable mention for her villanelle “Picking Berries” which appears in her book “Totems.”

Mary Gardner's poem "Decision" won third place in one of the Biennial poetry categories. Congratulations to Mary and Rachael on these outstanding poems and national recognition for their writings.

NLAPW VP Sheila Byrnes will read them on Ikins' behalf at the biennial letters luncheon in Iowa.

Sandy Shutter and Barbara Baum earned honorable mention recognition for their art in the biennial competition.