Join a Rich Legacy of Writing Excellence
Sponsored by Hollins University, the 62nd Annual Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest provides scholarships, prizes, and recognition for the best poems submitted by young women in their sophomore or junior year of high school.
At Hollins, you’ll join a new generation of authors in growing your craft and fostering a way of seeing and saying that is distinctively your own. With our multi-genre approach, you’ll develop a working knowledge in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction that’s intertwined with the study of literature. And, you’ll be immersed in a diversity of writers, writing theories, and literary experiences on campus, led by a faculty whose publishing success surpasses that of any other liberal arts college.
A rich legacy. A supportive and encouraging environment. Focused exploration. This is the foundation for how students mature into authors at Hollins.
Questions?
Submit questions about the contest or your submission to hupoet@hollins.edu
Deadline for Entry
October 31, 2025
Winners of the 61st Annual Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest
Sterling Bradley of McCallum High School, won the 61st Annual Nancy Thorpe Poetry Contest for the poem, “Dying in the Nuclear Apocalypse is Easier than Ever!” Bradley will receive a $350 cash prize; publication in Cargoes, Hollins’ award-winning student literary magazine; ten copies of Cargoes; a renewable scholarship of up to $5,000 provided through the Creative Talent Award in Creative Writing for a total value of $20,000 in scholarship funds over four years (applicable if enrolled at Hollins); and free tuition and housing for the university’s Hollinsummer creative writing program for rising ninth through 12th grade students.
Winning Submissions
Winners will receive the following:
First place (one winner)
- $350 cash prize
- Renewable scholarship of up to $5,000 at Hollins University
- Free tuition and housing for the university’s Hollinsummer creative writing program
- Publication in Cargoes, Hollins’ award-winning student literary magazine (along with 10 copies to keep)
Second place (six winners)
- Publication in Cargoes and two copies to keep
- Renewable scholarship of up to $1,000 at Hollins University
- $500 scholarship to apply toward the university’s Hollinsummer creative writing program
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the eligibility requirements?
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- Provide one or two poems of your best creative work
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- Poems that have been published previously in any venue or are under consideration elsewhere are not eligible
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- Unpublished poems that have received honors from schools are eligible
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- Due to scholarship eligibility requirements, applicants must be a U.S. citizen
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- Due to scholarship eligibility requirements, applicants must be a U.S. citizen
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When are the winners notified?
March
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Who judges the work?
Submissions are reviewed by faculty members of Hollins University’s noted creative writing program, as well as students currently enrolled in the university’s lauded M.F.A. in creative writing.
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Who was Nancy Thorp?
Nancy Thorp, Hollins class of 1960, was a young poet who showed great promise when she was a student. Following her death in 1962, her family established the Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest to encourage and recognize the work of young poets.
