NPR Illinois brought together the 2026 This I Believe featured authors Nov. 4 at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, where 10 selected student essayists took the stage to share their words live. Their reflections offered a thoughtful and often moving glimpse into the values, experiences and aspirations of young people standing on the threshold of adulthood.
The program invited central Illinois high school seniors from the Class of 2027 to answer a deceptively simple question: What do you believe? Through personal essays, students explored the principles that guide their lives, revealing stories of challenge, resilience, hope, faith, family and discovery.
This NPR Illinois program creates a space for young people to share their perspectives in their own voices and for the community to listen, reflect and learn from the next generation.
The Rotary Club of Springfield Sunrise has partnered with NPR Illinois since the local program began in 2007 and provides a monetary award to each of the 10 featured authors. Illinois Times also supports the program by publishing the selected essays, helping bring these students’ ideas and experiences to an even wider audience.
Recordings of the essays and accompanying audio are available at nprillinois.org. Previous This I Believe essays can be found under the Community Voices section of nprillinois.org.
This I Believe traces its roots to 1951, when legendary broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow launched the national radio series to give Americans from all walks of life an opportunity to share the convictions and ideals that shaped their lives. More than seven decades later, This I Believe Illinois continues that tradition, inviting young people to reflect on who they are, what they value, and the beliefs they carry into adulthood.
