2026 ARCHDIOCESAN MIDDLE SCHOOL SACRED POETRY CONTEST

Unleash Your Creativity

Enter the Contest and Get Recognized

Read Contest Guidelines

Buy your copy of the 2026 Archdiocesan Sacred Poetry Anthology containing poems by finalists and winners

Your anthology will be mailed via USPS to the address on your Paypal account. If you need for the item to be mailed to a different address, please email us when you purchase. Cost is $15.00 per anthology, $5.00 S&H plus sales tax (Total $21.24).

For bulk orders, please email us directly as cathla.org@gmail.com.

Catholic Literary Arts Announces the 2026 Winners
of the Archdiocesan Middle School Sacred Poetry Contest

Catholic Literary Arts is pleased to announce the outstanding students whose work has earned them the distinction of being winners in the 2026 Archdiocesan Middle School Sacred Poetry Contest.

Chosen from over a thousand entries, these poems display a high level of craftsmanship and a unique vision.

These poets, while young in their careers, have used their skill with words to express their love of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

All the winners are to be congratulated and celebrated, as well as the finalists who have reached high levels of artistry to reveal sacred truths.

Please register here to attend the Awards Ceremony on April 15, 2026, at The University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas at the Jones Auditorium, beginning at nine a.m. Registration will help us plan a reception after the reading.

Sixth Grade Winners

First Place: Gia Dixon, St. Francis de Sales Catholic School
Second Place: Blake Harkness, St. Anne Catholic School-Tomball; Mila Ofuani, Corpus Christi Catholic School
Third Place: Miguel Garcia, Sacred Heart Catholic School-Conroe; Aaron Madhu Catholic School, St. Laurence
Honorable Mention: Jaime Cardenas, Christ the Redeemer Catholic School; Victoria Carville, St. Thomas More Parish School; Cailyn Ellison, Christ the Redeemer Catholic School; Amelia Morales, Christ the Redeemer Catholic School

Seventh Grade Winners

First Place: Madeleine Lockerd, St. Theresa Catholic School-Sugar Land
Second Place: Kim Huai, St. Francis de Sales Catholic School; Ken Lai, Christ the Redeemer Catholic School
Third Place: Kalina Dementyev, St. Theresa Catholic School-Sugar Land; Isabella Hagan, St. Anne Catholic School-Tomball; Alain Pinto, St. Laurence Catholic School; Izzie Purdum, St. Anne Catholic School-Tomball
Honorable Mention: Sofia Buentello, St. Ambrose Catholic School; Sean Nguyen, St. Anne Catholic School-Tomball; Adele Picard, St. Anne Catholic School-Tomball; Paul Tavares, St. Anne Catholic School-Tomball; Chloé Tunwar, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School-Galena Park

Eighth Grade Winners

First Place: David Michel, St. Theresa Catholic School-Sugar Land
Second Place: Kaitlyn Bemis, St. Francis de Sales Catholic School; Gemma Castillo, St. Theresa Catholic School-Sugar Land
Third Place: Madeleine Chang, St. Laurence Catholic School; Evelyn Lipinski, St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School; Gabriella Tate, Christ the Redeemer Catholic School
Honorable Mention: Vivenne Kent, St. Anne Catholic School-Tomball; Lila Lacy, St. Laurence Catholic School; Julieta Molina-Ganau, St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School; Augustina Nguyen, Christ the Redeemer Catholic School; Ellaysn Walker, Christ the Redeemer Catholic School

Are you a young writer eager to express your creativity but unsure where to start? The 2026 Archdiocesan Middle School Sacred Poetry Contest is your opportunity to share your voice, gain recognition, and improve your writing skills.

The goal of the Archdiocesan Middle School Sacred Poetry Contest is to inspire 6th-8th grade students in the Archdiocesan-affiliated schools to write about spiritual topics, to increase writing skills, and to increase writing confidence.

View Contest Flyer

Benefits of Joining the Contest

At Catholic Literary Arts, we provide the tools, mentorship, and community to help writers develop their craft, rooted in the Catholic tradition. Through workshops, retreats, and expert guidance, we help writers of all levels express their faith through literature.

Skill Development

Through this contest, students will enhance their writing skills, preparing them for future opportunities.

Enhance Curriculum

Teachers can combine faith with creative writing, inspiring students to share their beliefs and building a stronger classroom community.

Fostering Spiritual and Creative Growth in Children

Parents will see their child grow spiritually and creatively through the contest, while feeling proud of their child’s efforts and reflections.

How the Contest Works

1. Read the Contest Guidelines

Here you can find detailed guidelines, deadlines, and frequently asked questions.

Read Contest Guidelines

2. Submit Your Entry

Here are instructions for submission, including registration, payment.

Submit Your Entry

3. Await Results and Celebrate

Finalists will be announced by March 17, 2026, and winners will be announced by March 24, 2026. The awards ceremony for the winners will be on April 15, 2026.

View 2026 Finalists

Resources for Educators

Educators may use these resources to assist them with this year’s sacred poetry contest.

Religion Lesson Plan

Creative Writing Lesson Plan

Anti-Plagiarism Lesson Plan

Testimonials

“It was through competitions that I realized how much I love writing and how passionate I am about it. My hope is that students who compete will be able to find a deep love for their faith and for literature, too. I can use my writing as a channel for my faith, to communicate to others not only as a writer but as a Catholic. This is the most important thing I have taken away from my experience.”

Samantha Court
2023 Poet Laureate
St. Theresa Catholic School -
Sugar Land, TX
“Witnessing Samantha read her poem before the famous poet Dana Gioia and seeing her poem published in the St. Austin Review were a few of her accomplishments that brought joy to our family. I believe our greatest blessing is that the CLA has given Samantha a new home where she can continue her pursuit as a Catholic writer.”

Caroline Court
Parent of 2023 Poet Laureate
Samantha Court
St. Theresa Catholic School -
Sugar Land, TX
“Through the contest, I gained a joy and boldness in God that I did not have before. Today my writing has developed beyond my expectations. My confidence has now brought me to become a worship leader who actively leads others to Jesus.”

Maegan McCarthy
2019 Poet Laureate
St. Helen Catholic School - Pearland, TX