Gov. Patrick Morrisey has announced the launch of the America250 Poetry Contest, inviting West Virginians of all ages to submit original poems celebrating the history, heritage and shared values of West Virginia and the United States as the nation prepares to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence.
“West Virginia has played an important role in our nation’s history, and as we prepare to celebrate 250 years of freedom, I encourage West Virginians of all ages to share their creativity and love of country through this poetry contest,” said Morrisey.
“America’s story is told through the people, places, and events that shaped our nation, and I look forward to seeing how West Virginians capture that spirit through poetry.”
The contest provides an opportunity for residents to reflect on the people, places and defining moments that have shaped both the Mountain State and the nation while sharing their own voice through poetry.
Submissions will be accepted through June 24.
One winning entry will be selected, and the author will be recognized as part of West Virginia’s America250 Celebration at the State Capitol in July.
To ensure a standardized evaluation process, all entries must adhere strictly to the following requirements:
Format: Submissions must be typed in a standard, legible 12-point font (e.g., Times New Roman or Arial) and submitted as a PDF or Word document (.docx).
Originality: All poems must be completely original, unpublished works. AI-generated content, plagiarism, or use of copyrighted material will result in immediate disqualification.
Length: Poems must not exceed 40 lines (excluding the title). There is no minimum line count.
Poetic Style: Submissions may be written in free verse, rhymed, narrative, or traditional forms (such as Haiku or Sonnets).
Tone: Content must remain nonpartisan and politically neutral, focusing on unity, history, culture and civic pride. Entries must be respectful and appropriate for public display in government facilities and public schools.
The Brooke County Review, Wellsburg, WV