LAPL is inviting students in grades 3–12 to write an original poem (20 lines or fewer) inspired by soccer — in celebration of this year's World Cup and looking ahead to the 2027 Super Bowl and 2028 Olympics. Winners from elementary, middle, and high school levels will be published online, invited to read at a City event, and possibly featured in a video with Get Lit – Words Ignite. Judged by LA Poet Laureate Brian Sonia-Wallace, Youth Poet Laureate Collin Kim, and former Youth Poet Laureate Samantha Rios.
Deadline: October 1, 2026
A ready-to-use teacher lesson plan, example poems, discussion questions, and a student worksheet are included — perfect for a 45–90 minute classroom activity. Teachers can submit their class's top 3 poems, or students can self-submit (parental consent required for under 18, permission slips attached to this post.).