The Mattie J.T. Stepanek Poetry Contest

This poetry contest is unique in that it is open to poets, artists, filmmakers, and spoken word artists. See below for contest requirements by category.

“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

Those are the words of the late Mattie J.T. Stepanek, the 13-year-old author of Just Peace: A Message of Hope and six volumes of Heartsongs poetry. Mattie courageously shared his poems about peace and living with purpose while battling a rare form of muscular dystrophy. The disease would cut short his young life, but not before his Heartsongs captured the world’s attention. Oprah Winfrey introduced the world to Mattie’s Heartsongs. Former President Jimmy Carter became Mattie’s friend and wrote the foreword for two of his books and offered the eulogy at his funeral, calling Mattie "the most remarkable person" he had ever known. 

“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

The Mattie J.T. Stepanek Poetry Contest seeks heartsongs that express your thoughts and feelings about courage and how it can be a tool for peace.

Theme

We invite you to write a poem that explores your thoughts and feelings about courage, and how courage can be a tool for peace.

Length

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!

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

Optional: Submit to the MY HERO International Film Festival 🎬

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

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

Theme: Create an illustration to accompany a poem about courage, and how courage can be a tool for peace.

You may use an original poem or a public domain poem. Think about the relationship between the image and the poem:

• What does your image show about the poem?

• Does it deepen, expand, or even challenge the meaning of the poem?

Details

Your illustration can be created using any medium (drawing, painting, digital art, collage, etc.) and should be uploaded through the Create Program: myhero.com/create

Choosing a Poem

When selecting a poem to illustrate, make sure:

• You understand the poem well before you begin

• It’s a poem you connect with and enjoy

• It contains strong imagery or interesting ideas to explore

💡 Tip: Poems that work best for illustration often include figurative language (like metaphors and similes) and vivid, concrete imagery.

Creative Guidance

• Think symbolically and thematically

• Explore the poem’s metaphors and tone

• Ask yourself: What kinds of images match the feeling and language of the poem?

• Try to avoid simply showing exactly what the poem says - aim for creative, imaginative interpretations rather than literal ones

Let your illustration and the poem work together to tell a deeper story about courage and peace. 

Recognition

All finalists will receive a certificate of participation.

Winning entries will be shared on The MY HERO Project and Mattie’s Peace Foundation websites.

Mattie believed a Heartsong is a gift, something to be offered and accepted for the good of humanity. Share your Heartsong today.

How to Submit Your Work

1. Register with MY HERO  (sign up here to join the MY HERO community)
2. Go to our Create Page to enter your work: myhero.com/create

3. Choose which category you wish to enter: Story (Written poem) / Art / Film / Audio 

4. Follow the instructions - they are very straightforward. If you need extra help, please check out our tutorials for guidance: myhero.com/help

If adding Images (optional), only use public domain images or images you have created yourself or have permission to use.

Click Finish and Submit — you’re done! 🎉