Northwest poets Kelli Russell Agodon and Sheila Bender, along with a number of other generous donors, began a poetry award in 2009 to honor the memory of beloved Seattle-area poet, teacher, and mentor, Paula Jones Gardiner, who died in 2008. Kelli and Sheila judge this $150 prize for a poem from that year’s Pontoon Poetry that best exemplifies the spirit of Paula.

Previous Winners
2018: Rachel Mehl of Bellingham for “Watching You Sleep”
2016: Cynthia Neely “Hopewell Bay” & Joseph Powell “Window Panes”
2014: Brian Cooney of Spokane for “Radishes,” and Jeremy Voigt of Bellingham for “The Flame of the Blue Star That Lingers.”
2013: Michael Schmeltzer of Seattle for “Personal Ad #1 (Pairs Only Matter in Poker).”
2012: David Gravender of Mountlake Terrace for his poem “Flower Child.”
2011: Jodie Marion of Vancouver for her poem “dawn.”
2010: Christine Hemp of Port Townsend for her poem “The Things That Keep Us Here.”
2009: Jill McCabe Johnson of Orcas Island for her poem “Kitchen Waltz.”