Edina Teen Wins National Writing Competition with Poem on AI
Elise Matney from Edina claimed first place in the Pulitzer Center's 2025 Fighting Words Poetry Contest for her poem focused on artificial intelligence. The competition drew a record 1,875 entries from 26 countries, 40 states, and the District of Columbia.
Matney won in the Information and Artificial Intelligence category, receiving a $300 prize and having her poem featured on the Pulitzer Center website alongside other winners and finalists. She is believed to be the first student from Minnesota to earn a first place title in this contest.
"It’s a true honor to have my poem recognized and shared by the Pulitzer Center," Matney said. "I deeply admire their mission to spotlight underreported global issues. And as the first poetry winner from Minnesota, I’m proud to help shine a light on the talented young writers across our state."
Poetry Meets Journalism
Each poem in the contest responds to a Pulitzer Center-supported news story, often incorporating direct lines from the reporting itself. Matney's winning piece, titled "TAMING OF THE MACHINE," draws on the Pulitzer Center's project "How Your Data Ends Up in AI Training Sets" by Niamh McIntyre.
The poem examines AI as a powerful tool but warns against overreliance. Matney reflects on AI’s benefits and potential costs:
- AI offers quick access to knowledge, creativity, and support, likened to having a team of librarians and editors at your fingertips.
- Overdependence on AI risks diminishing human skills and identity.
- There is a significant environmental impact from AI’s energy and water consumption.
"My poem explores that tension. It’s a reminder that we must 'tame' our use of AI and take responsibility for how we engage with it before it ends up managing us," Matney said.
From Neighborhood News to National Recognition
Matney, a rising eighth grader at the Blake School, has been writing since fourth grade. Her early work included articles for her school newspaper and a neighborhood magazine, initially focusing on local stories like new dogs in the area. Over time, her interests shifted towards meaningful topics such as history, justice, and community service.
Her passion for poetry was sparked by an English teacher, Robert Zelle, who encouraged students to embrace poetry’s creative freedom. Matney’s first poem, written for a community poetry night, was later selected for the SCSC Writing Contest Anthology 2024–25 in partnership with Minnesota Public Libraries. This recognition boosted her confidence to keep exploring her writing.
"I love how poetry allows you to zoom in on a single idea and build a world around it," she said. "Poetry is also a place where I can tune everything else out and just live inside the rhythm of my thoughts."
Looking Ahead
Matney plans to continue honing her writing skills with the goal of working as a journalist for outlets like The New York Times or NPR. Her achievement highlights how blending journalism with creative writing can open doors for young writers.
To read Matney's winning poem, visit the Pulitzer Center website.
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