The Swampscott Public Library is hosting its annual Lee Golomb Cadiff Student Poetry Contest, and students fifth through twelfth grade are encouraged to participate.

“Any art form is important,” said Sarah Giardina, the head of teen services. “I think it’s important to learn and to see, even if kids don’t go on to be a writer or to read it going forward, they at least try and see if it’s something that they are interested in.”

Norma Cadiff Finn supports the contest in honor of her mother, Lee Golomb Cadiff.The Tin Box Poets will serve as the judges.

“We would not be able to do this without either of them,” Giardina said. 

Poets must submit original work that is no longer than 40 lines and fits on one page. Students must submit an entry form with each poem as well as two copies of the poem – one with their name and one without.

Poems can be submitted by email to swateen@noblenet.org with “Poetry Contest” in the subject line, or dropped off at any library desk with the entry form and poems stapled together.

Entries must be submitted by March 27 at 4 p.m.

The winners will be notified during the week of April 20. This year’s contest includes different prize tiers: fifth to sixth grade ($25–$100), seventh to eighth grade ($50–$300) and high school ($50–$500).

Poems will also be published in an anthology, and students will have the opportunity to read their work at the award ceremony on Monday, April 27, from 6:30 to 7 p.m. at the Swampscott Public Library.