Atlanta Hawks Sponsor Poetry Contest for High School Students

The Atlanta Hawks announced the launch of the 2012 Poetry Slam Contest for high school students in grades 9-12 who attend school within 75 miles of Philips Arena. Beginning Jan. 12 through Feb. 24, 2012, students can submit either a written poem, consisting of 200 words or less, or a DVD recording, which cannot exceed 90 seconds, of their poem that captures the “I Was Born This Way” theme.

Participants are encouraged to convey what makes them personally, and their generation as a whole, unique.

“The Atlanta Hawks Poetry Slam Contest is a way for us to pay tribute to those Georgia high school students who are proud to express themselves and what they stand for through the art of spoken word,” said Bob Williams, President, Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena. “We are continually impressed by the submissions we receive and look forward to another opportunity for us to showcase the talents of this generation’s young people.”

To enter, students can visit www.hawks.com/community and submit a written piece or DVD recording entry, mail entries directly to the Atlanta Hawks Attn: Andrea K. Carter, 101 Marietta Street, Suite 1900, Atlanta, Georgia 30303 or fax submissions to (404) 878-3480 through February 24, 2012.

Each entry will be judged on Connection to the Topic “I Was Born This Way,” Overall Message and Originality/Creativity. The judging panel will include a representative from the Georgia Department of Education, a local media personality and an Atlanta Hawks representative.

After review of all entries by the judging panel, the top 15 finalists will be announced on March 9, 2012. All finalists will participate in a two-hour poetry workshop in mid-March and perform their poetry pieces for final judging on March 29, 2012. The contest will award a 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place winner with prizes for each to include Atlanta Hawks signed merchandise, electronics such as a laptop and TV, and tickets to a Hawks game.

For a complete list of rules and submission details, visit www.hawks.com/community.