Lauren Whitten of Glenwood High School is a 2026 This I Believe essayist.

This I Believe Illinois

The Brown Boxes

2026 This I Believe essayist Jaxon Wittenmyer of Hillsboro High School

I Believe in Zucchini Bread

2026 This I Believe essayist Ady Fergurson of Litchfield High School with I Believe in Organ Donation.

I Believe in Organ Donation

This I Believe 2026 essayist Natalie Harris of Southeast High School with her essay, Airport Floors.

Airport Floors

This I Believe 2026 essayist Aleigha Marburger of Hillsboro High School

The Little Green Sequins

This I Beleive 2026 essayist Adalyn Cruitt from Sullivan High School with her essay I Beleive in Sylvia Plath's Fig Tree.

I Believe in Sylvia Plath’s Fig Tree

WIlliam Wujek of Litchfield High School is a 2026 This I Believe essayist.

I Believe in Ink

Patricia Cheng of Litchfield High School is a 2026 This I Believe essayist.

I Believe in a Nice Fold

Annie Elliott of Glenwood High School is a 2026 This I Believe essayist.

I Believe in Mud Pies

Gavin Kornack of Southeast High School is a 2026 This I Believe essayist.

I Believe in Big Ears

Personal Journals

Society & Culture

This I Believe Illinois is NPR Illinois' annual essay program for Illinois high school seniors. An expression of where their minds are as they prepare to enter the adult world.Details for the Fall 2027 program will be posted in August 2027. Please contact us at engage@nprillinois.org with any questions. Look at the 2026 timeline and guidelines for an idea of what to expect.Important Dates and DeadlinesWriting GuidelinesThank you to the Rotary Club of Springfield Sunrise which provides an award to each of ten selected authors.

The Brown Boxes

This I Believe Illinois

More episodes from "This I Believe Illinois"

I Believe in Zucchini Bread

I Believe in Organ Donation

Airport Floors

The Little Green Sequins

I Believe in Sylvia Plath’s Fig Tree

I Believe in Ink

I Believe in a Nice Fold

I Believe in Mud Pies

I Believe in Big Ears

The Brown Boxes