I.H.S. Poet Earns International Recognition
Issaquah High School ninth grader Juliana Pan just started writing poetry several years ago, but has already been recognized internationally for her work. In the fall, Pan was one of 15 poets to win the Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award, which celebrates “the future stars of the poetry world.”
“I was very lucky to be selected out of over 17,000 submissions!” Pan recalled. “I found out in biology class at IHS on a purple slip of paper, and felt very honored and excited — an international poetry competition!”
Her winning poem, “A Ballad for Cleo,” is one that she wrote for her best friend from middle school, who she doesn’t get to see as much now that they’re in high school. “When Cleo read my poem, she started tearing up a bit, saying that she felt so honored since no one ever wrote a poem for her before. I think that if an artist or poet cares about someone, they will never be forgotten — but imprinted in the emotions of their work.”
In addition to this award, Pan has been published by "Gigantic Teen Sequins" (a literary arts journal), and won Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards Gold and Silver Keys/Honorable Mentions in the past. Pan has submitted for The Penn Review, The Harvard Advocate, and The New York Times 2024 Coming of Age Contest in poetry, and is awaiting additional results.
She said she wrote “A Ballad for Cleo,” in the style of a favorite poet, Corey Van Landingham. She also admires the work of Ocean Vuong. “He beautifully paints these vivid, beautiful yet heartbreaking images and messages,” Pan said. “Unlike most poets, his work is also easier to understand and read. He explores themes of identity, war, family, trauma, and self-love. My favorite poem of his is ‘Someday I'll Love Ocean Vuong.’”
Traveling to England for the awards ceremony was a great experience, Pan said. “I’m deeply grateful that I’ve gotten to see the Poetry Society of the United Kingdom up close, to also cement the value of literary citizenship within me. I loved meeting and getting to know the other Top 15 winners, who also performed their poem aloud at the awards ceremony. Everyone was so friendly and understanding, we got to ‘geek out’ about our favorite poets, and I felt like I found my people.”
In addition to poetry, Pan said she occasionally writes flash fiction. Outside of writing, she enjoys golfing, playing the violin and drawing.
“To me, poetry is like painting a story with words, almost like a daydream. It's the most raw form of emotion,” she said.
Top photo: Pan reads her poem aloud at the awards ceremony in The British Library in London. Photo courtesy of Hayley Madden.
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