Pictured LTR: Carla Macedo, Guthrie Romas, and Aubrey Laine Baker
MONMOUTH, Ore. – The English Department at Western Oregon University is proud to announce the 2025 Peter Sears Poetry Prize winners. This year marks a historic moment for the competition, with a freshman taking the top honor for the first time.
Freshman English major Guthrie Romas received first prize and $200 for his poem, “Spending Time with an Old Man in Bellingham.”
“For the first time in the contest’s history, a first-year student has won the Peter Sears Poetry Prize,” said Henry Hughes, Ph.D., head of the English department. “Guthrie is emerging as a powerful writer, and I look forward to working with him during his time here at Western.”
Carla Macedo, a senior English major with a focus on professional writing, earned second prize for her poem “Parking Garage.” Aubrey Laine Baker, also a senior English major, received third prize for “Snaggletooth.”
Winners will receive cash prizes and perform their winning work at the English session of the Academic Excellence Showcase on May 29, 2025.
Over 50 poems were submitted to the competition. A dedicated committee of English faculty and past recipients meticulously reviewed the submissions, forwarding ten exceptional poems to the final judge. This year’s final judge was Donna Henderson, Ph.D., a renowned poet and artist.
“I found these poems alive to language, rich in sensory detail, fresh and surprising in their images, and able to hold space for emotional tensions and questions, rather than having to resolve them,” said Henderson. “So bravo and brava to each of the poets represented, and I hope we will see more of their words in the world!”
Learn more about the Peter Sears Poetry Prize
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About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.
