This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2009, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
In Utah, Jell-O always has a place on the Thanksgiving table right next to the turkey, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie. But we don't take molded gelatin too seriously. Which explains why The Tribune received more than 450 haikus in our third annual Jell-O poetry contest. We were most impressed with the number of student entries. Junior high and high school students submitting 212 haikus while elementary age group had nearly 70 entries. We'd like to thank their teachers who obviously made the poem a class assignment. Some haikus were heartfelt. Others were silly. A few were irreverent. Read them all by clicking on the links in the box at right.
The best adult haiku:
How they would bellow
When the kids missed their Jell-O.
Now they're more mellow.
-- Mark Fotheringham
The best secondary:
Utah's favorite treat
Best eaten on a mountain
Best when colored green
-- Caitlin Lundy, Woods Cross High
The best elementary:
Thanksgiving dinner
When we all come together
Please don't have Jell-O
-- Ellie Agnew
SECOND PLACE
Adult
Jell-O is the sole
Solid food allowed before
Colonoscopy
-- Theodore Gurney
Secondary
When you stick Jell-O
In a microwave on high,
BOOM! Get a paper towel.
-- Micalea Berglund, Ecker Hills Middle School
Elementary
Moldy Jell-O gross
My brother dared me to eat
Ouch my tummy hurts
-- Hana Gottlieb
THIRD PLACE
Adult
Weapon of mass fun
Rockets around the lunchroom:
Jell-O on children.
-- Ira Hatch
Secondary
Sweet Jell-O salad
Memories of sticky hands
Cool whip covered face
-- Sara Davis, Valley High
Elementary
Whipped cream welcoming;
Celery, carrots, peas, no!
Leave plain, it's Jell-O.
-- Connor Lloyd
HONORABLE MENTIONS (ADULT)
Bare bones bleached and boiled
Skin scraped degreased acid soaked
Scrumptious gelatin
-- Trisha Topham
Green Vodka Jello!
For Mormons who sneak a drink
Don't tell the bishop.
-- Skylar Schulzke
Neighborhood potluck
Turned festival of Jell-Os
As the molds lined up
-- Leslie Brockway
Church potluck Jell-O
Carrots, beets, miracle whip
Sister's germ warfare
-- Janet Beverley
Since Utah is home,
We consume Jell-O daily,
Year in and year out.
-- Cheryl Farr
Jell-O is made of
Horse hooves and synthetic dye.
We feed this to kids.
-- J.C. Smith
Mix bones and sugar
Anti-Vegan evil treat
Diabetics Die
-- Arthur Reilly
HONORABLE MENTIONS (SECONDARY, GRADE 7-12)
Did you ever think
Dictators are like Jell-O
Spineless and crazy
-- Sam Mortensen
Snack pack of my dreams
Where are you when I need you
I guess at the store
-- Quinn Cleveland
If Earth was Jell-O
What such bouncy disarray
Our planet would be
-- Collin Kenny
Jell-O any flavor
Non-edible, weird, slimy
Meat-by-product. Eww
-- Nikki Low
To ease the group's strain
Grandma's taking Jell-O shots
Ahh, Jell-O salad
-- Samantha Paul
Extra lime Jell-O
Get rid of the tofurkey
More Jell-O for me
-- Jackson Burton
Jell-O day is here
My favorite day this year
Always room for more!!
-- Allison Vernon
"Slimy, squishy, fun
Slipping, sliding in my tongue,
Yummy, Jell-O gone!"
-- Stephanie Everson
Seven Calories
Artificial Flavor
In a cardboard box
-- Rachel Davidson
Squishy sticky mess
In my hair and on my clothes
Jello-O fight. Oh. No.
-- Liesl Roberts
HONORABLE MENTIONS (ELEMENTARY)
Absorbs anything
Try putting anything in
Just pop straight right out
-- Christopher Alex Alexis Lopez
I don't like Jell-O
But I like my mom's it's good
I love her Jell-O!
-- Taedra Benson
Jell-O is crazy
Baby is very brainy
Covered in Jell-O
-- Efren Diaz