The MyHero Project has officially announced the overall winners of the 2026 Mattie Stepanek Poetry Contest, recognizing two emerging poets for their exceptional work. Zhiheng Xie was named an overall winner for the poem Courage is a Crooked Umbrella, while Sarah Ying Pan received the same distinction for her piece, The Blueprint of Peace. The annual contest, organized by the MyHero Project, celebrates the power of poetry and storytelling.
Beyond their recognition as overall contest winners, both Xie and Pan also secured first-place finishes in specific high school categories. Sarah Ying Pan earned first place in the High School Art category, further showcasing her diverse talents within the competition. Zhiheng Xie also achieved a first-place award in the High School Audio category, highlighting the breadth of their creative contributions.
The 2026 Mattie Stepanek Poetry Contest also honored Jubilee Sung, who took first place in the High School Poetry category for her compelling work, To Be a Dragon. The competition aimed to provide a platform for young voices to express themselves through various poetic forms, including written and audio submissions, alongside artistic interpretations.
The MyHero Project, as the organizer of the 2026 contest, continues its tradition of fostering creativity and recognizing talent across different age groups and artistic mediums. The announcement of these winners underscores the project's commitment to inspiring individuals through stories of heroism and creative expression, as exemplified by the works of Xie, Pan, and Sung.
The 2026 Mattie Stepanek Poetry Contest has successfully concluded, celebrating the poetic achievements of Zhiheng Xie, Sarah Ying Pan, and Jubilee Sung. Their winning entries stand as testaments to the vibrant creativity encouraged by the MyHero Project's annual initiative.