1. What was the competition?

The competition was the Federal Foreign Office‘s ebook project “Ich habe einen Traum – I Have a Dream”. It is organized by Sophia Schroth & Petra Martenstein.

2. What did you write about?

I wrote a poem about my dream for the future of the world. It was focused on the climate change crisis. I wanted to focus on how different our world would be and all the things we would lose. For example, cities would be underwater, and some animals no longer here.

3. What was the process?

I was first given the task of writing a poem under the topic I have a dream during the Spring as our final project in German. We were tasked with writing and illustrating a book for the class. During the writing process, I struggled the most to address all the topics I wanted but also keep the poem rhyming in German. After I submitted it to class, Frau Feinleib suggested I submit it to the contest. I had to fill out a form and submit the poem via mail. Over 1,000 stories were submitted and the 3 best stories from each age group were selected (I was in the 16-19 group). The date for the award ceremony was pushed back a couple of times but is currently set to be in Berlin in February.

4. Why do you think it’s important?

I believe it is important to address climate change and the impact that a person can have. Additionally, I think that this is not a problem that can be solved by Americans alone, it has to be a global solution. That is why I wanted to address my concerns in a global competition.