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Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi has announced the launch of the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia Poetry Contest, a statewide initiative inviting students from kindergarten through 12th grade to express their voices through original poetry.
In an August 13 statement, Hashmi said the contest, open to students across the Commonwealth, encourages young Virginians to reflect on the people, places, heritage, and history that shape their lives and their understanding of Virginia. Entries will be accepted through the contest’s submission portal until Monday, November 16, 2026.
“Poetry reminds us that language is one of our oldest forms of civic participation,” said Lieutenant Governor Hashmi. “As an educator, I have always believed that learning flourishes when students are empowered to ask questions, reflect deeply, and share their own perspectives. Poetry creates that opportunity, giving young people the confidence to discover their voices and the tools to communicate them with purpose.”
The contest is being coordinated in partnership with Virginia Humanities, reflecting a shared commitment to fostering “creativity, civic engagement, and storytelling” among Virginia’s next generation of leaders.
“Students are invited to submit original poetry or spoken word that is honest, thoughtful, and reflective of their own experiences,” the statement noted. Through the contest, young writers are encouraged to explore the “people, traditions, landscapes, and moments” that help define Virginia and their place within it.
“This poetry contest invites young Virginians to explore and express their personal connections to the Commonwealth through poetry,” said Matthew Gibson, Executive Director of Virginia Humanities. “We’re proud to partner with Lieutenant Governor Hashmi to create an opportunity for young people across Virginia to express themselves through poetry and discover the power of their own voices.”
The announcement coincides with the release of a new video featuring Hashmi at murals in Richmond, highlighting the connections among public art, storytelling, and self-expression. According to the statement, the video encourages students to embrace the power of poetry to inspire, comfort, motivate, and foster understanding across communities.
The contest is open to all Virginia students in grades K–12. Additional contest rules, submission guidelines, and eligibility information are available at https://www.ltgov.virginia.gov/newsroom/poetry-contest/.
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