2025 Commencement Event

After a successful inaugural year, the North American Review is pleased to continue the Cedar Valley Youth Poet Laureate program! The first laureate, Lamya Pratchett from Waterloo East High School, won a scholarship and cash prize at the commencement performance in April 2024. The North American Review published one of her winning poems, “Chaotic Hindering Attributes Over-thinkers Suffer With,” on Open Space. 

Based on the National Youth Poet Laureate Program, we are encouraging local young poets to participate in our 2025 commencement event, where the 2025 Cedar Valley Youth Poet Laureate will be chosen by a panel of judges. The goal is to identify and celebrate exceptional young poets who use their voice to inspire change. We believe that young people are capable of creating important works of art, and deserve a venue to both develop and share these works with the world. 

There is no cost to enter, but teens will be required to set up a free account on Submittable. The deadline to submit up to three (3) poems for consideration is 11:59 pm on April 1st. The North American Review Editors will read all submissions, and select meritorious and qualified teens to compete for the position of 2025 Cedar Valley Youth Poet Laureate at the commencement event.

Qualifying teens must be aged 13-19 living in one of eight counties that comprise the Cedar Valley (Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Chickasaw, Fayette, Grundy, & Tama). By participating in this event, they will meet other teens with an interest in poetry, share their writing with a live audience, and compete for the chance to be named the 2025 Cedar Valley Youth Poet Laureate. This title includes a $250 cash prize, a $500 scholarship from UNI, the opportunity to become an ambassador for poetry in the Cedar Valley, and possible publication by the North American Review. Runners-up will also receive UNI scholarships and other prizes.

This commencement event is Saturday, April 19, 2025 from 3-5pm in the Interpreter’s Theatre, located within Lang Hall on UNI’s campus. This event is free and open to the public, and we encourage poets to bring their families, teachers, classmates and friends to support them in the audience. 

Submit up to 3 poems here