Mattie J.T. Stepanek Poetry Contest Finalists

Maya sees hero traits in others and wants to emulate them.

Madhulikia celebrates the frontline workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

Milan's father makes time for him each day.

Kaitlyn's hero is Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani woman who was shot by the Taliban when just a child for going to school.

Mark's hero is Mattie Stepanek, an American child poet who had dysautonomic mitochondrial myopathy.

"Last year I did a lot of reading about Mattie and his attitude towards life and it really inspired me to change as a person, to be better to other people and I really wanted to tribute his life and the impact he continues to have on the world."