Literary Competition

The ACPC encourages each of its affiliates or supporting organizations to create a literary competition for its youth.

Our Literary Competitions are intended to encourage member literary initiatives and inspire the endeavors of Polish-American youth in the fields of journalism and literature. The age criterion is from junior high school up until the age of 30. This is to accommodate students pursuing a master’s degree or doctorate in these fields. The American Council for Polish Culture will match first-prize financial awards offered by affiliates or supporting organizations up to $750.00.

The ACPC’s Literary Competitions support was established in 1995 by Estelle Wachtel-Torres MD in memory of her father, Stanley Zenon Wachtel to promote local efforts. Mr. Wachtel was a pioneer of Chicago’s Polish Theatre. In Detroit, he became the long-time producer of the Polish Language Radio Programs on WJLB, WEXL, and WNBC.

The requirements to receive a matching award include forwarding the following information to our Literary Competitions Chair:

• The date of the competition.
• The rules and judging criteria of the competition.
• The amount of the affiliate or supporting organization’s award.
• The winner’s name, hometown, and school, plus a photo.
• A copy of the winner’s entry, in English, to Barbara Lemecha, Literary Competitions Chair, barbara.lemecha@sbcglobal.net

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2025 Literary Competition winner

Antoni Spiewak