2026 Paul Violi Prize
The MFA in Creative Writing at The New School is proud to announce the 2026 Paul Violi Prize honorees. Congratulations to the following New School Poets:
Alexa Harbaugh, First Place
dual concentration MFA student in poetry and nonfiction, class of ‘28
afi alexandra, Second Place
dual concentration MFA student in poetry and nonfiction, class of ‘27
Makenna Boutin, Honorable Mention
MFA student in poetry, class of ‘27
Evan Antonakes
MFA graduate in poetry, class of ‘26.
Evan Antonakes was the First Place recipient of the 2025 Paul Violi Prize. We are pleased to share his poem in honor of his graduation from the MFA program this year.
The Paul Violi Prize honors the legacy of Paul Violi, who taught in the MFA program for many years until his death in 2011. Violi’s poetry was influenced by The New York School but evolved into an easy-going yet erudite style that was all his own. Check out his poem Extenuating Circumstances to sample his hallmark wit and spirit.