Leonard L. Milberg ’53 High School Poetry Prize

The Leonard L. Milberg ’53 High School Poetry Prize is an annual poetry contest organized by the Program in Creative Writing at Princeton University. This prestigious competition aims to celebrate the creative expression of high school students by recognizing their literary talent. The contest encourages young poets to submit original poems that demonstrate skill, creativity, and a unique voice. It provides an excellent opportunity for students to gain recognition for their writing, receive feedback, and potentially launch their literary careers.

The competition is named after Leonard L. Milberg, a notable alumnus of Princeton University, who has been a longstanding patron of the arts. Through his support, this award aims to foster a love for literature and the arts among young people, encouraging them to engage deeply with poetry and creative writing.

Each participant can submit only one poem, and it should be an original, unpublished work. Judges look for poems that showcase a strong sense of voice, creativity, and originality, and selected winning pieces will receive not only monetary rewards but also a broader audience by being featured on Princeton’s official platforms.