The Mattie J.T. Stepanek Poetry Contest
The Mattie J.T. Stepanek Poetry Contest is open for submissions!
Poetry, Spoken Word, Film, and Illustration
Enter Your Heartsong into our Contest by June 1st 2026
In partnership with the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peace Foundation, MY HERO invites students to share original work inspired by courage, peace, and purpose.
Students may enter original work in four poetry-based categories: Original Poem, Spoken Word / Audio Performance, Poetry Film, and Poetry Illustration.
Mattie believed that every person carries a heartsong. This contest invites students to express themselves in words, voice, image, and film.
Introduction
“Courage is being brave when there is something to fear… we need to be brave in our commitment to planning peace.” - Mattie J.T. Stepanek
Mattie J.T. Stepanek was a poet and peace activist whose Heartsongs gave young people a language for courage, hope, and purpose. Even while living with a rare form of muscular dystrophy, he wrote with unusual clarity about what it means to live bravely and help build peace.
This contest honors Mattie’s legacy by inviting students to create original work that explores courage as a force for peace.
Original Poem
We invite you to write a poem that explores your thoughts and feelings about courage and how courage can be a tool for peace.
Your poem can be any length, but we recommend keeping it to no longer than one page.
Focus on being creative and showing what courage means to you!
Find Tips for writing a poem HERE.
Teachers, find lesson plans on the theme of Courage HERE.
Poetry Film
Theme: Create a short film that brings a poem about courage to life. Make sure you either have permission to use the poem or that it is in the public domain.
You can make your film in different ways. Here are some ideas:
1. Voiceover (VO)
Record yourself (or someone else) reading the poem out loud, then add images or video to match the meaning. You can use your own footage or public domain images.
2. Text on Screen
Display the words of the poem on screen using titles or captions, and combine them with images or video that illustrate the poem’s meaning.
3. Visual Poem (No Words Needed)
Create a film that expresses courage using images, music, and symbolism (metaphors), without showing or reading the poem directly.
Focus on being creative and showing what courage means to you!
Once you have finished, submit your video or mp4 file here: myhero.com/create
If you would like your submission to be considered for the MY HERO International Film Festival, you can submit it here:
👉 https://myhero.com/submit
Students can submit for free
To receive a waiver code, email: media@myheroproject.org
Spoken Word l Audio Performance
Theme: Create an audio recording of a spoken word performance or a recitation of your original poem.
Your poem should explore your thoughts and feelings about courage, and how courage can be a tool for peace.
Focus on being creative and showing what courage means to you!
Once you have finished, upload your mp3 file from your computer here: myhero.com/create
Poetry Illustration
Theme: Create an illustration to accompany a poem about courage, and how courage can be a tool for peace.
Create an illustration inspired by a poem about courage and the role courage can play in building peace.
Your image should do more than mirror the words of the poem. It should deepen, interpret, or expand them in a thoughtful visual way.
Focus on being creative and showing what courage means to you!
Entries may be created in drawing, painting, collage, or digital art.
Recognition
Winning entries will be shared on The MY HERO Project and Mattie’s Peace Foundation websites.
“A heartsong doesn’t have to be a song. It can be your message, your feeling—some people might even call it a conscience. Even though that’s not really what it is. It’s what you feel you need to do.” - Mattie J.T. Stepanek
How to Enter
When you are ready to submit, go to the MY HERO Create page and upload your entry: myhero.com/create
Select the category that matches your entry:
If you are new to MY HERO, create an account first by registering HERE.
If your entry includes images, please use only original material, public-domain images, or images you have permission to use.
Mattie believed a Heartsong is a gift, something to be offered and accepted for the good of humanity. Share your Heartsong today.
Judge
One of the most inspiring activists for peace on the planet
Poetry Lesson Plans and Multimedia Resources
Previous Winners
2025 Winners
Organizer created on 2/3/2020 11:40:16 PM by Xenia Shin
Last edited 4/18/2026 6:24:54 AM by Abigail Richardson
