Announcing the Winners of the Hawkeye Haiku Contest
Thank you to the 399 University of Iowa alumni and friends from around the world who participated in our annual haiku contest.
We asked participants to create a haiku that explores a “family” theme in a 5-7-5 syllable format.
Our judges worked diligently these past few weeks to read submissions from 33 states and as far away as India, Poland, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom.
Without further ado, here are the winning haiku. The winners will receive a Hawkeye prize pack.
In addition, we have selected honorable mentions from each age group for your reading pleasure.
2024 Hawkeye Haiku Contest Winners
Grades 3 & 4
Family Tree
Roots, support us all.
Trunk, strong bond holds together
Branches, spread and reach.
- Maeve L., Iowa
Grades 5 & 6
Entwined like tree roots
A strong unbreakable bond
Together we thrive
- Jasper H., Iowa
Grades 7 & 8
Eomma gave me food
Scalding, warm, what I yearned for
Eaten as she watched
- Louis K., New Jersey
Grades 9–12
Surrounded by those
People with whom I belong
Love runs deep and free
- Maggie V., Iowa
Adult, University of Iowa Alumni
Blended, grateful, love.
Full of laughter, creating
lasting memories.
- Sam Hellberg (10BA), Iowa
Adult, Friend of the University
I believe somewhere
Mother is searching for me
Blood that matches hers
- Sara Salansky, Colorado
We hope you enjoy reading these amazing haiku from your fellow Hawkeyes as much as we did! You can also read stories from past winners.