Local poets were celebrated for their outstanding work, with many reading their selected poems at the festival’s Writer’s Nook. All selected poems are available to read online at perrycountyarts.org.

This year, Jalyssa Zellers of Elliottsburg has been named Perry County Poet Laureate for her poem Palm Reading. Zellers presented her winning piece on the Moore Pavilion Stage during the Little Buffalo Festival.

In recognition of her achievement, Zellers received a commemorative plaque presented by Perry County Commissioner Brenda Watson and Chief Clerk Shannon Hines on behalf of the Perry County Commissioners. As Poet Laureate, Zellers will be invited to serve as a guest speaker at special events throughout the coming year.

A talented local writer and poet, Zellers is a 2025 graduate from West Perry High School. She excels across multiple disciplines, including literary, musical, visual, dance, and theater arts. Zellers has earned numerous awards for literature and writing, including both Gold and Silver Keys in Poetry from the prestigious Scholastic Writing Awards.

This year, she also received several honors at PCCA’s Youth Art Day at Newport High School, including first place in poetry and third place in essays. Her AP Language teacher at West Perry remarked, “Jalyssa has a very rare gift to see the world through poetic means and is able to share these visions clearly through her writing.”

In addition to her writing, Zellers is an accomplished visual artist. She earned first place in Recycled Art at Youth Art Day 2025 for her innovative poetry and sculpture piece crafted from recycled materials, showcasing her creativity and resourcefulness in transforming everyday items into art.

Zellers also uses her artistic talents to address important social issues such as suicide prevention. Her video entry for Prevent Suicide PA’s annual contest earned an honorable mention in the 2024-2025 competition.

View it here: https://psa.preventsuicidepa.org/60-second-videos/video-02/

Siggy David Award

William Faller of Duncannon has been selected as the recipient of this year’s Siggy David Award for his poem Duke Fan. The award, named in honor of local poet Siggy David, celebrates his lasting contributions to Perry County’s literary community.

Siggy David was also instrumental in creating and naming the Writer’s Nook at the Little Buffalo Festival. Each year, the previous recipient of the award selects a new theme. This year’s theme, “Perseverance,” was chosen by last year’s recipient, Alane Balchunas.

Additional Poetic Excellence Awards

The following awards were also presented at the festival’s Writer’s Nook beginning at 3:00 p.m.:

First Place: Jalyssa Zellers (Elliottsburg) for Signs and Signals and Seventeen

Second Place: William Faller (Duncannon) for I told myself to exist

Third Place: Lynne Reeder (Duncannon) for writing my own eulogy

Honorable mentions:

• William G. Davies Jr. (Elliottsburg) for The Death of a Mermaid on the Susquehanna

• Brooke Mitchell (Shermans Dale) for Let the Denim Fray

• Eydie L. Wight (Newport) for Tuesday

The Poetic Excellence Awards are open to poets from across Pennsylvania, with the Poet Laureate distinction reserved for Perry County residents. Details about the contest and its guidelines can be found at perrycountyarts.org.

For more information on other programs and services provided by the Perry County Council of the Arts, call (717) 567-7023 or visit www.perrycountyarts.org.