Zimpritch Poet of Promise
Gabe Zimpritch, a member of the Cape Elizabeth High School class of 1996, died suddenly on May 2, 1995, without warning, during a lacrosse practice. Gabe had a passion for poetry, and his family endowed an annual symposium in his honor at Cape Elizabeth High School and established a poetry collection at the Thomas Memorial Library in Cape Elizabeth. This award, given annually at the Camden Festival of Poetry to a high school poet, has been established in his honor.
High School Students are invited to participate by submitting:
three to five poems
a short cover letter of introduction
a brief bio
a statement about what inspires you as a writer
One student will be awarded the Zimpritch Poet of Promise Award and be invited to read at the closing Plenary Session of the Festival on Saturday, May 16. This year’s Festival features poet and essayist Aimee Nezhukumatathil.
Send your entries to Mark S. Burrows, Festival Co-Director at: camdenfestivalofpoetry@gmail.com
Submission deadline is April 25, 2026.
2025 Zimpritch Poet of Promise winner Julia
2024 Zimpritch Poet of Promise winner Orianna
