Sonnet Boom Adult winners Clayre Benzadón (left), Michael Ivory (middle) and Nyah Hardmon (right)
Miami officials and local arts organizations have announced the winners of “Sonnet Boom: Love Poems for Miami,” a citywide poetry contest that drew more than 500 original submissions and 140,000 public votes.
The initiative, launched in January by Elevate Cities, Elevate Miami, O, Miami and SWWIM, invited residents to write 14-line sonnets reflecting their connection to the city.
Organizers said the contest saw participation from first-time writers, classrooms and even a poet as young as 7 years old. Submissions came from 19 states and eight countries, with poems written in English, Spanish, French and Creole.
“This is the biggest contest that we’ve experienced from a community involvement perspective in over 15 years,” said Caroline Cabrera in a press statement. “Having this many votes is wildly impressive and proves that Miamians are hungry to share their story.”
The poems explored themes of cultural identity, migration and everyday life in Miami, with references to music, food and family traditions shaping many of the entries.
Adult winners
- First Place: Michael Ivory, “Magic City”
- Second Place: Clayre Benzadón, “Miami (Debutante) Sonnet”
- Third Place: Nyah Hardmon, “305786”
Youth winners
- First Place: Ava (Grade 10, Ransom Everglades School), “The Pink Hotel Threw Fire”
- Second Place: Andrea (Grade 10, The Cushman School), “Border to Boulevard”
- Third Place: Nadine (Grade 8, Miami Arts Charter School), “Magic City”
Winners received cash prizes ranging from $500 to $2,000, along with opportunities for publication and live performances across the city.
Mayor Eileen Higgins said the contest helped strengthen civic pride across the city.
“When people write about the city they love, they are doing more than making art, they are building a sense of belonging,” Higgins said in a press statement. “Sonnet Boom brought Miami together across languages, generations and neighborhoods, and it proves that our culture is one of our greatest strengths.”
A panel of literary leaders selected the winners, including Caridad Moro-Gronlier, Richard Blanco, Catherine Esposito Prescott, Cabrera and Fabienne Josaphat.
In addition to the judges’ selections, the public voted on their favorite submissions through an online gallery. Michael Ivory’s “Magic City” received the most public votes.
Organizers said the initiative aimed to give residents a platform to share their stories and connect through creative expression.
The winners and finalists were recognized during a live event at YoungArts on April 8, coinciding with National Poetry Month, where select poems were performed for the community.
This is a Hy-Lo News Staff Report.
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