Local poets published in ?Lyrical Iowa 2011?

DES MOINES ? Nine adults, a high school student and a middle school student in the area are among Iowa poets published in ?Lyrical Iowa 2011,? compiled by editor Lucille Morgan Wilson.

The Iowa Poetry Association sponsors an annual poetry writing contest open to students in grade schools, high schools and colleges, as well as adults.

This 2011 collection of more than 400 poems recognizes the top three poems and the top three honorable mentions in several categories.

Area residents from Jefferson and Van Buren counties included in this year?s poetry publication are:

Lila Cutter of Fairfield, who earned fourth place, honorable mention in national competition with her poem;

Fairfield residents Ann Du Bois, Raven Garland, Bill Greiser, Rustin Larson, David Patterson and Richard Wallarab;

Caroline Fulcher, an 11th grade student at Maharishi School when she submitted her poem, won second place, honorable mention in the high school division;

Dale Netherton of Farmington earned a first place, honorable mention for his poem written for children;

Janet Gilchrist of Douds; and

Sydney Atwood of Keosauqua, a seventh grade student at Van Buren Middle School when she entered the contest, earned first place, honorable mention in the upper grades division.

More than $500 in cash prizes was distributed among the highest winners.

Nearly 2,800 poems were submitted this year, representing 81 of Iowa?s 99 counties, and almost 100 authors indicated this was their first time to enter a competition.

?Lyrical Iowa 2011,? a 188-page, soft-cover book, can be ordered from the editor, Wilson, at $10 per copy, postpaid to anywhere in the U.S. Write to: 2325 61st St., Des Moines 50322.

The Iowa Poetry Association is a non-profit organization. Its contests are open to anyone with an Iowa residence. No entry fees or memberships are required. Guidelines for the new contest, which opens Jan. 1, are available from the editor and online at www.iowapoetry.com.