Last Call For Entries For The US250 Persona Poem Project

Wednesday, December 31st, 2025 is the deadline for entries for the US250 Persona Poem Project. A project being sponsored by the Highland Park Poetry & the Illinois State Poetry Society to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. A milestone anniversary for The United States of America that will be celebrated on July 04th, 2026. The project will include the publication of a poetry anthology containing the poems selected by representatives of the poetry societies, which means it is a chance for poets to get published. The US250 Persona Poem Project also includes three $250 prizes that will be awarded for poems selected by the guest judge, Lynne Viti, faculty emerita of Wellesley College. The project will also give poets the opportunity to see their works performed on stage. As story theater-style performances of select poems will be performed by local theater groups across the Prairie State.

Previously, the deadline for entries into the US250 Persona Poem Project was December 01st, 2025. But, the deadline has been extended until New Year's Eve to give people the opportunity to submit more persona poems for the project. With persona poems being a first-person poem capturing a moment of history as told from the perspective of a person living during that time period. For the US250 Persona Project, the Highland Park Poetry & the Illinois State Poetry Society are looking for poems that explore a moment in United States history from 1765 through 1800. With that time frame being the time period leading up to the American Revolution and the establishment of the USA. There is a $10 dollar reading fee that covers up to three persona poetry entries. With poets being able to either mail in the reading fee or send it electronically via paypal. Similarly, the 2026 US250 Persona Poetry Entry Form can also be e-mailed to Jennifer@highlandparkpoetry.org or mailed in to highland Park Poetry c/o Jennifer Dotson, 1690 Midland Avenue, Highland Park, IL 60035.

Poems that are submitted to the US250 Persona Poem Project must be eighty lines or fewer. Previously published poems are accepted, so long as the author includes details as to where and when the poem was first published. Poets whose works are selected for the anthology will be notified on or before February 01st, 2026.

Luisa Reyes is Tuscaloosa attorney, piano instructor, and vocalist.