Celebrate America's Literary Journey
Join us in honoring America 250 through Dica-Poems.
The submission deadline for the Contest is
March 31, 2026.
Discover America 250
America — 250 Years of a Living Dream
From the echo of freedom’s first bell,
to the quiet hum of small towns at dawn,
every hand that built, every voice that rose,
has shaped this vast and restless land.
Rivers carried dreams westward,
cities lifted skylines toward hope,
and across generations,
the promise of “We the People” endures —
a living symbol of courage, unity, and possibility.
America 250 Dica Poem Contest
What is America 250
America 250 (formally the U.S. Semiquincentennial) marks 250 years since July 4, 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was adopted. It’s a national initiative established by Congress in 2016 through the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission Act, with the goal of coordinating celebrations, educational programs, and public engagement across all 50 states and U.S. territories. writer today!
Purpose
The America 250 Dica-Poem Contest is dedicated to honoring and remembering the history of our nation, the diverse regions that make up America, and the people who give life to it.
Through this contest, we reflect on 250 years of American history, recognize the importance of the places where we live, and celebrate the people who inhabit them.
Its purpose is to connect communities across the nation, weaving together our stories, cultures, and voices into one harmonious whole.
Invitation
Invitation
Invitation
Communities everywhere are called to create
meaningful, participatory events.
Objectives
Invitation
Invitation
· Celebrate 250 years of American independence through art and literature.
· Provide a national platform for diverse voices and stories
· Highlight Pitt County/ Greenville, NC as a center of cultural innovation.
· Promote Dica-Poem as a new bridge between visual and literary expression.
What is a Dica-Poem?
•Form: A single original digital photo + a short poem of ≤5 lines.
•Spirit: Captures a moment of deep meaning—
where image and language meet.
•Strength: Simple, creative, and open to everyone.
* Different names: Photo-poetry, Photographic poetry, Photo-haiku, Visual poetry, Image-text art
America 250 Dica-Poem Contest is a nationwide creative project celebrating the 250th
anniversary of the United States.
By combining photography with a poem of five lines or fewer, it records the nation’s history, culture, and communities in a uniquely artistic way and preserves these memories for future generations.
Centered in Pitt County and Greenville, North Carolina, the contest seeks to engage participants across the country, spreading educational, cultural, and healing values.
This Dica-Poem contest is an ideal way to remember and honor America
This Dica-Poem contest is an ideal way to remember and honor America 250 for the following reasons:
1. Modern – Anyone can use a smartphone to capture a photo and add poetic words.
2. Accessible to All – Children, youth, and adults can easily participate with only a phone.
3. Educational – It helps people remember America’s history, its beautiful and meaningful places,
and the individuals who drive the nation forward.
4. Historical Record – Each submitted work becomes part of a valuable
archive commemorating the 250th anniversary.
Why Dica-Poem Fits America 250 Perfectly
•Inclusive: Anyone with a smartphone and a story can participate.
•Cross-Cultural: Introduces an innovative global art form to the U.S. celebration.
•Reflective: Captures people, places, and history in a personal, memorable way.
•Lasting Impact: Builds a national archive of images and poems for 2026 and beyond.
More information about America 250 Dica Poem Contest
Theme One: History
The first theme of the America 250 Dica-Poem Contest is History.
For over 250 years—and even before the founding of the United States—countless events, moments, and symbols have shaped the nation we know today. These traces of history are not just stories of the past; they are living legacies that remind us who we are and how we came to be.
Through your camera, capture these historical legacies—the landmarks, artifacts, and scenes that tell America’s story. Then, express your poetic response in five lines or fewer. It could be one line, three lines, or five.
Do not describe the photograph or explain what it shows. Instead, let your words convey the emotion, reflection, or inspiration that the image evokes within you. This is where history and poetry meet—a dialogue between what we see and what we feel.
You do not need to search far for historical materials. Begin with your local history. Ask yourself: What historical events took place in the area where you live? What buildings or monuments symbolize that history? What stories or memories are preserved in your community? If you cannot directly photograph certain historical materials—for example, the original Declaration of Independence—you may instead photograph the version printed in a book. Just include part of the book in the frame so it is clear that the source is from printed material. In this way, history can often be found closer than we think—in our neighborhoods, our libraries, our surroundings, and the places we pass every day. Look carefully, and you will discover more than you expect.
Theme Two: People
The second theme of the America 250 Dica-Poem Contest is People.
At the heart of every chapter in America’s history are its people—those who have built, protected, and continue to shape this nation every day. They are the ones who serve in the military and law enforcement, who safeguard communities, who work in construction sites, classrooms, hospitals, and research labs. They are families who labor for love, artists and writers who capture the nation’s soul, and athletes who unite us through the spirit of sport.
Capture these people and their moments of dedication, strength, and creativity through your camera lens. Then, write your poetic impression in five lines or fewer—it can be one line, three lines, or five.
Do not describe the person or the scene in your photograph. The image already speaks for itself. Instead, express the emotion and inspiration that arise from it.
This is your chance to portray the living spirit of America—the people who are America.
Theme Three: Places
Theme Three: Places
The third theme of the America 250 Dica-Poem Contest is Place.
America is a vast and beautiful land—rich not only in scenery but in stories. Every corner of this country holds meaning: from historic landmarks and symbols of national identity, to places that represent modern innovation and future aspirations. There are mines filled with the sweat of workers, harbors alive with the efforts of fishermen, farms that feed the nation, construction sites that build its future, and countless other meaningful places that capture the American spirit.
Through your camera, capture a place that you believe holds special meaning for America and its people. Then, write a short poem—five lines or fewer—to express what that place means to you, or how it moves you. It can be one line, three lines, or five.
Do not describe the location or explain its details—the photograph already tells that story. Instead, let your poem record the emotion, reflection, or inspiration the place evokes.
When your image and your feeling come together, they create something truly powerful—a poetic portrait of America, the land that tells its own story.
Judging Method
Awards and Prizes
Theme Three: Places
All submitted works will be evaluated based on three key components:
- Photography (35%) – Assessed for originality, composition, and how effectively the photo captures the theme. ** The photo must be taken by the participant. Photos found online or taken by someone else may not be used.
- Poetry (40%) – Evaluated for creativity, emotional depth, and poetic expression within five lines or fewer.
- Connection between Photo and Poem (25%) – Judged on how well the poem and the photograph complement and enhance each other to create a unified artistic impression.
This balanced approach ensures that both the visual and literary elements work together to embody the true spirit of a Dica-Poem.
Awards and Prizes
Awards and Prizes
Awards and Prizes
Outstanding works will be selected based on creativity, artistic expression, and the harmony between photography and poetry. Prizes will be awarded as follows:
The America 250 – Dica Poem Contest is organized into three age-based divisions to ensure fair and meaningful participation.
① Divisions
- Elementary Division
- Middle & High School Division
- Adult Division
② Awards in Each Division
Each division will recognize the same number of award recipients:
- Excellence Award: 1 recipient
- Merit Award: 2 recipients
- Encouragement Award: 3 recipients
- Honorable Mentions: 10 recipients
→ A total of 16 awardees per division
③ Grand Prize
- The Grand Prize will be awarded to one individual only, selected from all three divisions combined.
④ Prize Money
- Grand Prize: 1 recipient × $1,000
- Excellence Awards: 3 recipients × $500
- Merit Awards: 6 recipients × $200
- Encouragement Awards: 9 recipients × $100
- Honorable Mentions: 30 recipients × certificate onl
⑤ Total Number of Awardees
- Cash award recipients: 19
- Honorable Mentions (certificate only): 30
- Total awardees: 49 individuals
This structure ensures age-appropriate evaluation while encouraging broad participation.
The contest is designed to recognize excellence, creativity, and meaningful expression
across students, families, and adult participants alike.
America 250 Dica Poem Contest's Samples
How to Participate
How to Prepare
Submission Guidelines
Submission Deadline
Capture a photo with your own digital camera that reflects one or more of the contest themes — History, Place, and People.
Then, add poetic language to the image by writing an original poem inspired by your photograph.
Each participant may submit up to three entries.
You may choose one theme, two, or all three — but the total number of submissions must not exceed three.
Before submitting your works, you must first complete a Registration Form.
This form should include your personal information (name and contact details), along with the titles of your submitted works.
Your completed registration form must be submitted together with your entries.
Submission Deadline
Submission Guidelines
Submission Deadline
The submission period begins January 1, 2026, and ends March 31, 2026.
Entries will be reviewed throughout April 2026, and results will be individually announced by the first weekend of May.
The Awards Ceremony will take place on Memorial Day, May 2026, where all winning works will be exhibited.
Selected pieces will also be displayed at various venues across the country in the following months (details to be announced).
Submission Guidelines
Submission Guidelines
Submission Guidelines
1. Prepare your work on one single page (8.5 × 11 in.), following the sample format provided.
Include the title of your work, your name, the photograph, and your poem written below the image.
2. Do not place or overlay your poem directly on the photo — such entries will be disqualified.
3. Submit your photo and poem as separate files.
Please include a brief explanation describing where the photo was taken and what symbolic meaning the location holds.
Please email your application and entries to 2022hok@gmail.com.
How to Submit to the America 250 Dica-Poem Contest
STEP 1 Choose a Theme & Create Your Work
Select one of the themes:
History / Place / People
You may submit 1–3 works.
You can either:
1. Create one work for each theme (up to 3 total), OR
2. Create all three works under the same theme
STEP 2 — Download the Application Form
After completing your work, download the application form from
STEP 3 — Fill Out the Form
Complete the application form with your information and details about your work.
STEP 4 — Email Submission (Final Step)
Attach the application form + your work and send them to:
Following email: 2022hok@gmail.com
Your submission is complete once the email is sent.
