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:
  • Sky Brown, “Rivers of Salt” Read Poem