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Woodland High Student Awarded 12th Annual Georgia Poet Laureate’s Prize

Large torso image of Ellis to the right of "HCS Student Wins 2025 Georgia Poet Laureate's Prize" and HCS and GCA logos superimposed over background image of WHS.
Woodland High Student Awarded 12th Annual Georgia Poet Laureate’s Prize
Large torso image of Ellis to the right of "HCS Student Wins 2025 Georgia Poet Laureate's Prize" and HCS and GCA logos superimposed over background image of WHS.

 

HENRY COUNTY, GA – Woodland High School rising senior Jada Michelle Ellis was announced as the 2025 Georgia Poet Laureate’s Prize winner by the Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA).

GCA made the announcement in partnership with Georgia’s Poet Laureate Chelsea Rathburn.

Each year, Georgia high school students in grades 9-12 are invited to submit their original poems for a chance to win the Poet Laureate’s Prize. 

Ellis’ poem “Fatherless Echoes” was selected as the winning entry for the 2024-2025 school year, topping more than 260 students representing 105 schools across Georgia.

GCA partners with Atlanta Magazine to publish submissions from the winning poet and finalists.

“We are immensely proud of Jada’s accomplishment, which can inspire her peers and encourage them to find their voices and express themselves through writing,” said Woodland High School Principal Purvis Jackson. “Jada has excelled in numerous pursuits throughout high school, and I am proud that the entire state of Georgia will gain some insight into the depth of her talents.” 

As prize winner, Ellis received a signed book of poetry from Rathburn and was acknowledged in a ceremony at the Georgia State Capitol, where she recited her poem and took a photo with Gov. Brian Kemp.

“We congratulate Jada on her outstanding achievement,” said HCS Superintendent Dr. John Pace III. “She exemplifies the talent and potential within our schools and reminds us of our commitment to nurture creative and innovative minds and provide an environment where all students can thrive. Her success underscores the power of English Language Arts education, and with our focus on advancing literacy across the district, we are especially proud of her accomplishment.”

The annual Georgia Poet Laureate’s Prize was launched in 2014 by former Georgia Poet Laureate Judson Mitcham, in collaboration with the Georgia Council for the Arts. The program encourages Georgia high school students to write poetry to build creative communication skills and self-confidence.

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