Carl Sandburg Student Poetry Contest

Poetry submissions on display during National Poetry Month.

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Carl Sandburg Student Poetry Contest
The contest is announced in January of each year with entries due in early March. The contest encourages young students to write poetry based on a theme which changes each year. Educators are invited to submit original poems written by their students. Students in grades 3-12 are guided only by an annual theme. Submissions can be written in any style. Poems are judged within grade categories, 3-5th, 6-8th and 9-12th. Winning poets are then invited to share their work at a virtual celebration in their honor.

2025 Poetry Contest is open with a theme of "Freedom"

Carl Sandburg captured the voice of America by speaking for "The People". His free verse style of poetry, journalism, biography, children's stories, prose writing, and commentary about social issues of the day provided a popular voice for the American people. As the child of Swedish immigrants, he was inspired by the idea that this country valued freedom for all to live, work, play and worship as they choose. This year's theme of "Freedom" asks you to think about what Freedom means to you!

Poems submitted for the 2025 contest should reflect the theme of "Freedom." By definition: "the power of self-determination attributed to the will; the quality of being independent of fate or necessity." Note: Poems do not need to be titled "Freedom" they just need to reflect that idea in a poem.

You can learn more about the contest and submit your poems here!

2024 Poetry Contest Winners Announced:

The theme of "Memory" brought forth some amazing poems written by students from third through twelfth grade. Judges reviewed hundreds of poems and picked the top three and an honorable mention in each category. Here are this years winning poems .

 

2023 Poetry Contest Winners Announced
The theme for 2023 was "Hope" inspiring students to write a poem about where they find hope around them. The theme was based on a stanza from Carl Sandburg's poem "The People, Yes." You may find the winning poems here.

 

2022 Poetry Contest Winners Announced!
The theme for 2022 was "Ambition," inspiring students to write a poem about ambition and a strong desire to do or to achieve something. The theme was based on one of Carl Sandburg's Rootabaga Stories, which celebrates 100 years since they were published in 1922. “An ambition...creeps in your heart night and day, singing a little song, ‘Come and find me, come and find me." Read the winning poems here.

 

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2021 Poetry Contest Winners Announced!
The theme for 2021 was "Seasons" inspiring students to write a poem about seasons and the changes in nature or life they see around them. The theme was based on a poem by Carl Sandburg "Spring Grass" from his collection of poetry "Good Morning America" You may find the winning poems here.

 

2020 Poetry Contest Winners Announced!
The theme for 2020 was "Movement" inspiring students to write a poem about movements in they see around them. The theme was based on a poem by Carl Sandburg "Night Movement" from his collection of poetry "Smoke and Steel." You may find the winning poems here.

 

2019 Poetry Contest Winners Announced!
The theme for 2019 was "Joy" inspiring students to write a poem about where they find joy. The theme was based on a poem by Carl Sandburg with the same name. You may find the winning poems here.

 

Students recognized at the 2018 poetry contest celebration.  The park's 2018 Writer in Residence, Carlene Kucharczyk, is on the far left.

2018 Poetry Contest Winners Announced!
The theme for 2018 was "Dream" inspiring students to share their dreams. The theme is part of the park's 50th Anniversary theme "Nothing happens unless first a dream", a line from a Sandburg poem. You may find the winning poems here.

 

Student poets recognized at the 2017 Carl Sandburg Poetry Contest reception.

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2017 Poetry Contest Winners Announced!
The theme for 2017 was "strength" in honor of this universal theme throughout much of Sandburg's poetry. You may find the winning poems here.

 

Student Poets recognized at the 2016 Carl Sandburg Poetry Contest Reception along with the Park's 2016 Writer-in-Residence Kimberly Simms.

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2016 Poetry Contest Winners Announced!
The theme for 2016 was "Legacy" in honor of the 100th birthday of the National Park Service in 2016. You may find the winning poems here.

 

Student Poets Recognized at the 2015 Carl Sandburg Poetry Contest Reception along with the Park’s 2015 Writer-in-Resident Lisa Lopez Snyder.

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2015 Poetry Contest Winners Announced!
The theme for 2015 was "Poetry in Your Backyard". Students were encouraged to visit a "backyard" either at their own home, a city park or school playground and find inspiration outside for a poem. You may find the winning 2015 poems here.

 

Student Poets Recognized at the 2013 Carl Sandburg Poetry Contest Reception along with the Park’s 2013 Writer-in-Resident, Katherine Hester (left).

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2014 Poetry Contest Winners Announced!
The theme for 2014 was "movement" in honor of Carl Sandburg's poetry which reflected the movement of his time in nature and social change. You may find the winning 2014 poems here.

2013 Poetry Contest Winners Announced!
The theme for 2013 was "Seasons" in honor of Carl Sandburg's poetry which captures the beauty of the landscapes and lives of America. You may find the winning 2013 poems here.

 

2012 Poetry Contest - "Social Activism"
Carl Sandburg was known as the "poet of the people" because he expressed the social struggles of all Americans. He became the voice for those that had none: child laborers, factory workers, soldiers, immigrants and workers of all races. You may find the winning 2012 poems here.

 

Student Poets Recognized at the 2011 Carl Sandburg Poetry Contest Reception along with the Park’s Writer-in-Resident, Jane Sadusky (right), and the park's Education Program Coordinator Ginger Cox (left).

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