Poet-in-Schools program participants – Pacific Grove High School
History of Our Poetry Program
The Elliot Ruchowitz-Roberts Monterey County High School Poetry Awards (formerly Robert Campbell Poetry Awards) were designed to recognize and promote excellence in high school poets and develop an interest in creative expression through the written word. Over the past thirty-two years, our Poet-in-Schools in-class instruction and annual awards contest have inspired thousands of students to discover the art of poetry.
Meet Our Poet-in-Schools
Patrice Vecchione
The Carl Cherry Center for the Arts welcomes back Monterey poet, artist, and teacher Patrice Vecchione for her third year as Poet-in-Schools and contest judge. For many years, Patrice has led poetry workshops for students through her program, The Heart of the Word. She’s the author of two collections of poetry; the editor of many poetry anthologies, most recently Ink Knows No Borders: Poems of the Immigrant and Refugee experience; and the author of three nonfiction books on the imagination and creativity. In 2020, her book for young adults on up, My Shouting, Shattered, Whispering Voice: A Guide to Writing Poetry & Speaking Your Truth was published by Seven Stories Press.
Each year the poetry program offers fully-funded poetry writing workshops by the Poet-in-Schools to any high school in Monterey County. During Patrice’s tenure, she has taught at Carmel High, Pacific Grove High, Palma, Rancho Cielo, and Rancho San Juan. Each session includes the reading of a few poems to inspire the young writers, instructions, and an opportunity to read their new work aloud and receive supportive responses.
2024 Poetry Award Winners
Use the button below for a complete list of this year’s award-winning poets and an anthology of their work.
Granting Organizations
Arts Council For Monterey County
Carmel Woman’s Club
Carmel by the Sea Rotary
Community Foundation for Monterey County
Gibson Family Foundation
Monterey Peninsula Foundation
Pebble Beach Company Foundation
Yellow Brick Road Benefit Store
