City-Wide Youth Voices Writing Contest Returns April 1

MADISON, WI– Madison Public Library will once again host the We Read Youth Voices Writing Contest in collaboration with Forward Madison FC and the Wisconsin Book Festival with support from the Madison Public Library Foundation in the spring of 2024. 

Submissions will be accepted beginning April 1, 2024 online and a kick-off event will take place at the first home game of Forward Madison FC’s season on Saturday, April 13. The We Read Youth Voices Writing Contest Youth Ambassador, Diya Dhawal, will kick out the first ball and announce the contest at halftime, while families are invited to visit the Madison Public Library table to pick up free writer’s notebooks.

"We are honored to be partnering with the Madison Public Library to host the We Read Youth Voices Writing Contest and give young, local writers a platform to share their unique stories. We look forward to celebrating this year's writers and building a community legacy that goes beyond the soccer field," said Conor Caloia, Chief Operating Officer of Forward Madison FC.

Youth ages 18 and under are encouraged to submit to the contest, with the opportunity to win cash and prizes, be honored at a Forward Madison FC game, be published in the third annual We Read Youth Voices Anthology and recognized during the Wisconsin Book Festival Fall Celebration in October. 

The theme for the 2024 Youth Voices Writing Contest is “Celebrate Small Heroes” and was determined by this year’s youth ambassador, Diya Dhawal. Dhawal is a sophomore at Middleton High School, and was the 2023 Grand Prize Winner for the Youth Voices Writing Contest for her story The War of A Million Years. 

“In this world filled with injustices and chaos we often feel helpless, but you don’t have to save the world to be a hero,” said Dhawal. “Our kindness and connection is what makes us human, and I’m looking forward to seeing the small humanities and hidden heroes that make our world a better place.”

Contest submissions will be accepted April 1 - June 30, 2024. 

Any form of submission is welcome - stories, poems, songs, etc. Submissions may be in English, Spanish, or Hmong. Learn more about the contest guidelines and submit stories online: www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/youthvoices

Contest Prizes:

Through the generous support of the Madison Public Library Foundation, the winner of the grand prize will receive $500, with two runners up winning $250 each, and three age group finalists receiving $100 each. Additional prizes include merchandise from Forward Madison FC and a chance to be published in the We Read Youth Voices Anthology, as well as recognized during the Wisconsin Book Festival Fall Celebration. The grand prize winner and runners up will be announced and recognized at the August 29 Forward Madison FC game. 

We Read Spring Break Events

During Madison Metropolitan School District’s Spring Break March 25-29, 2024, Madison Public Library is hosting a series of programs and activities for kids and families designed to spark creativity and inspire stories. 

“Nothing is quite as rewarding as finding a place where you feel comfortable to express yourself in a creative way. The library is that kind of place, and we invite kids to come explore the many opportunities we have for them to relax, read, play and have fun together during Spring Break.” said Tammy Ocampo, Madison Public Library’s Youth Services Manager. “In the week leading up to the writing contest, we hope some of the programs, books and activities provided at the library inspire kids to share their own stories and unleash their creativity.”

Programs range from storytimes led by music therapists and yoga classes for babies and toddlers, to opportunities for school-age kids to build stories with LEGO challenges or practice sharing stories by reading to a dog, as well as storytelling through movement with cardio drumming or dance and yoga classes for teens and tweens. 

Youth ages18 and under are invited to pick up a free writer’s notebook at any library location during We Read Spring Break or to engage with one of the oversized story dice that can be rolled to generate characters, settings and interesting obstacles. Explore the 30+ programs happening during Spring Break at Madison Public Library at madpl.org/springbreak.

About Madison Public Library
Madison Public Library’s tradition of promoting education, literacy and community involvement has enriched the City of Madison for more than 145 years.  Visit the library online at www.madisonpubliclibrary.org and @madisonpubliclibrary on Facebook and Instagram.