MUSC Septima P. Clark Poetry Contest

This is the submission form for the 5th Annual MUSC Septima P. Clark Poetry Contest sponsored by the MUSC Office of Student Programs and Student Diversity, the MUSC College of Health Professions, and Charleston Poet Laureate Marcus Amaker. Please complete the poetry submission information below. This information will be used by the Planning Committee to select and notify finalists for the contest. You can save and come back to this submission, and a PDF will be emailed to you once completed.  The due date for submissions is March 15, 2023.

Contest Rules:

• The contest theme this year is "Unity in the Community: A World Connected."  Preference will be given to poems related to this topic.
• Poetry can be written in any poetic style.
• The poetry contest is open to youth in the community with categories for elementary school (K5), middle school (6-8), and high school (9-12) age students.
• A poem in its entirety must be an original work by the person entering the contest.
• Plagiarism is a serious offense with serious consequences.
• Only one poem per student is allowed.
• Entries must be at least four lines long, but cannot exceed 16 lines.
• Do not type poem in all capital letters.
• Poems containing language that is vulgar, offensive, or wholly inappropriate will not be accepted.
• Do not include any personally identifying information with the poem text (such as name, school, etc.).

A Reception will be held on Friday, April 28, 2023.  Finalists will have the opportunity to read their poems and winners will be announced. RSVP through the contest website.  

Students should use the link below to complete the submission form to upload poems or download the submission form.  Students, parents, and teachers can contact Dr. Dante Pelzer at pelzerd@musc.edu or at 843-760-0995 for assistance with completing or submitting poems.

Online Form:

MUSC SPC Poetry Contest Online Submission Form--Elementary School

MUSC SPC Poetry Contest Online Submission Form--Middle School

MUSC SPC Poetry Contest Online Submission Form --High School 

Printable Form:

Paper submissions can be mailed or hand delivered to:

MUSC Office of Student Programs and Student Diversity

c/o Dr. Dante Pelzer

45 Courtenay Drive, Ste. 213, MSC 974,

Charleston, SC 29425

Download the Printable PDF Paper Submission Form below: