The Heinrich Team Scholarship Program: 2023 Poetry Contest

The Heinrich Team not only enjoys helping clients find the perfect home within the Monterey Peninsula’s picturesque communities, but also promoting and supporting education within the area. In this vein, The Heinrich Team has started a new scholarship program as a way to financially assist students as they advance in life.

The inaugural poetry contest took place in April in observation of National Poetry Month and included three age divisions: elementary students (grades 3-5); middle school students (grades 6-8); and high school students (grades 9-12).

Entrants were asked to submit one copy of their original poem (and only one poem per entrant) and their contact information by April 25.
The Heinrich Team selected two winners from the elementary school division, and one winner from the middle school and high school divisions. Elementary and middle school winners received $250 Visa gift cards, and the high school winner received a $1,000 scholarship to go toward a college or trade school of their choice. Honorable mentions received a $25 Visa gift card, a leather journal and treats.

 

The award presentation took place May 18 in Carmel.

The 2023 winners are as follows:

Heinrich Team 2023 Poetry Contest Scholarship Winners

The Heinrich Team 2023 Scholarship Program Poetry Contest Winners

“It is a fascinating way to learn about yourself as you observe and feel the world around you, and to express your thoughts in a poem. It is also a way to help students financially as they make their own way,” said Ben Heinrich of the Heinrich Team.

The Heinrich Team selected a winner from the elementary school division, one winner from the middle school and a winner and runner-up from the high school division. Elementary and middle school winners received $250 Visa gift cards, and the high school winner received a $1,000 scholarship to go toward a college or trade school of their choice. Runner-up received a $250 Visa gift card.

The award presentation took place May 24 at the Hofsas House Hotel in Carmel.

The 2023 winners are as follows:

Elementary School Students (Grades 3-5)

Leif Dutton, “Grass Sways in the Breeze”

Middle School Students (Grades 6-8)

Sky Brown, “Rivers of Salt”

High School Students (Grades 9-12) 

Winner: Mahi Shaw, “Dandelion Seeds“

Runner-up: Lily Lehman, “Everything I Do Is For You”

Ben Heinrich, broker associate and global luxury specialist with The Heinrich Team, has always been fond of poetry. He even served on the judging and selection panel for the Monterey County Poet Laureate. He chose poetry as the vehicle for The Heinrich Team’s scholarship as a way to encourage students to find poetry in their lives. The Heinrich Team also supports the Carmel Public Library Foundation.

The Heinrich Team’s poetry contest will be held annually, so, if you missed this year’s deadline, be sure to enter next year.


Here are the winning poems:

  • High school winner:
    • Mahi Shaw, “Dandelion Seeds “ Read Poem
  • High school runner-up:
    • Lily Lehman, “Everything I Do Is For You” Read Poem
  • Middle school winner:

Leif Dutton, Elementary School Students

Sky Brown, Middle School Students

Mahi Shaw, High School Students
Winner

Lily Lehman, High School Students Runner-up