Student Poetry Contest

The National Poetry Month Student Poetry Contest is open to anyone who is enrolled as a student at Highline College during Winter 2026. Read below for contest information. When you're ready to submit, use this submission form.

Submission Deadline:

Friday, February 20, 2026, 4:00 p.m. PT.

Submission Guidelines:

• Limit 3 poems per person.

• Each poem's maximum length is 20 lines plus a title.

• Submit all poems in a single document file (.doc, .docx, .pdf, etc.)

• Do not include your name in the document itself, so that readers do not know your identity.

• Poems that have been published prior to the contest deadline will not be considered.

• Poems that have been generated by AI (Artificial Intelligence) will not be considered.

By submitting poetry to this contest, you are representing that you are submitting your own original work and not the work of others. You are also agreeing to have your poetry:

1. Put on display and used during National Poetry Month 2026

2. Considered for publication in the Spring 2026 issue of Arcturus (Highline's literary arts journal)

Student Poetry Contest prizes:

• First prize: $200

• Second prize: $150

• Third prize: $100

• Seven Honorable Mention prizes: $75 each

All winning poems will be placed on display. In addition, the First Prize winner may be asked to do a media interview and to create a recording of their poem.

If you would like any kind of clarification or have any additional questions, feel free to email npm@highline.edu