PRESS RELEASE
Manhattan, KS –Missouri and Manhattan are the homes of the two winners of the 2017 Kansas Cowboy Poetry contest held on June 9 at the Flint Hills Discovery Center. Danny McCurry from Ash Grove, Missouri won first place in the serious poem category and Tim Keane of rural Manhattan won in the humorous poem category.
“These poets each did an outstanding job and we are proud that they have earned the coveted Governor’s Buckle,” said state poetry contest chair Ron Wilson of Manhattan. Final results were as follows: Serious – 1 st, Danny McCurry, Ash Grove, Missouri; 2nd, Tim Keane, Manhattan; and 3rd Dennis Russell, Cimarron, New Mexico. Humorous – 1st, Tim Keane, Manhattan; 2nd, Dennis Russell, Cimarron, New Mexico; and 3rd, Danny McCurry, Ash Grove, Missouri.
Only those who finished in the top tier of the regional qualifying contests could compete at the state finals. Others who qualified for the state finals included (towns in Kansas unless listed otherwise) Terry Arnwine, Cherryvale; Betty Burlingham, Manhattan; John J. Cannon,
Fredonia; Barbara Lilyhorn, Hutchinson; Dana Moodie, Neodesha; Donna Penley, Haysville;
and Carl Stueve, Olpe.
As Kansas state champions, McCurry and Keane received the coveted Governor’s Buckle, the
Saddlejack Bradrick Award, discounts and gift certificates from leading western wear stores, a one-year membership in the Kansas Chapter of the Western Music Association, two tickets to the Symphony in the Flint Hills, and the opportunity to present their poems at the Ranchland Trust luncheon and at the story circle following the symphony. Lieutenant Governor Jeff Colyer presented the buckles to the winners during story circle time. In addition, the state winners will be invited to compete in the National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo. It is not necessary to go through the state contest to enter the national rodeo because anyone can enter the National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo directly, but the Kansas winners will have their entry fees paid by the Kansas contest.
For more information, go to www.cowboypoetrycontest.com