Writers wanted for Year of the Frog haiku contest

Enter the Year of the Frog haiku contest sponsored by the Pt. Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. A haiku is a three-line poem that does not rhyme. It has five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third. An example is :

tropical treasures
frogs bathe in the steamy pool
delights in pale green
                       John Houck, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium deputy director

Competitive categories: Winners will be selected from each of the following categories:

·         4^th grade and younger
·         5^th through 8^th grade
·         9^th through 12^th grade
·         Adult amateur
·         Adult published writer

Deadline for submissions is Friday, Oct. 17.

Prizes for winners in each category:

First place – a behind-the-scenes tour of PDZA’s newest exhibit, Animal Avenue, with the other category winners and one guest each

Second place – two free tickets to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium or Northwest Trek

For contest rules and details, visit www.pdza.org. Submit your entry by e-mail to haiku@tacomaparks.com or mail to Haiku Contest at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, 5400 N Pearl St., Tacoma, WA 98407

 Haikus will be judged on the following criteria:

·         Relevance to the frog theme

·         Word choice

·         Adherence to haiku style

·         Originality

·         Creativity

·         Overall presentation

·         Contest rules:

·         All poems must be written in the haiku style.

·         The topic must be frogs.

·         All entries must be original and written by only one participant.

·         Only three entries per participant will be accepted.

All entries must include the following information: name, grade (if student), home address, telephone number and e-mail address (if available).

Acceptance of prizes constitutes consent to use winners’ names, likenesses and entries for editorial, advertising and publicity purposes.