Carl Sandburg Student Poetry Contest

Poetry submissions on display during National Poetry Month.

NPS Photo

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.

2026 Poetry Contest is open with a theme of "Unity"

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 was made up of people from all over, united as one country. This year's theme of "Unity" asks you to think about what being united means to you!

Poems submitted for the 2026 contest should reflect the theme of "Unity." By definition: "the state of being united or joined as a whole." Note: Poems do not need to be titled "Unity" they just need to reflect that idea in a poem.

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

2025 Poetry Contest Winners Announced:

This year's theme of "Freedom" evoked thoughtful and reflective poems written by students from third through twelfth grade. Judges reviewed hundreds of poems and picked the top three and honorable mentions in each age group. All poems are on exhibit at Carl Sandburg Home. Enjoy reading this years winning poems!

We also honor artists who participating in the annual theme (2025 Freedom) with a visual piece of art, which is also on exhibit with the poetry on site at the Sandburg Home.

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.