The competition, hosted in partnership with the Poetry Foundation and the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, continues a tradition established by Brooks in 1969. This year’s entries delve into complex themes of heritage, identity, and the natural world, offering a candid look at the perspectives of the next generation. Gabrielle H. Lyon, executive director of Illinois Humanities, noted that the program’s longevity proves the necessity of providing young people with a dedicated space to share their voices.

Winners hail from diverse communities including Peoria, Naperville, Skokie, and Chicago. Each honoree receives a monetary prize and publication in an annual chapbook. The cohort will be formally celebrated on September 19 at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts in Chicago, where they will have the opportunity to perform their work before an audience.