We’re thrilled to announce the 7 finalists for the 2025-26 New York State Youth Poet Laureate! The new Youth Laureate will be announced on May 2nd, at the Urban Word Youth Poet Laureate Commencement.
Poet applications were reviewed on the basis of two criteria: poetic excellence and demonstrated commitment to civic engagement. Applications were reviewed by a distinguished panel of judges, supported by Urban Word staff:
Alan Semerdjian, the Nassau County Poet Laureate
Stephanie Pacheco, the National Youth Poet Laureate
Asari Beale, Executive Director of Teachers & Writers Collaborative
Watch the livestream of the Urban Word Youth Poet Laureate Commencement on Friday, May 2nd, 6:30pm., at the end of which the New York State Youth Poet Laureate will be announced! The event will feature the four National Youth Poet Laureate Finalists (from Milwaukee, Montgomery County PA, Alameda County CA, and Maryland), with special performances from the two Pakistan Youth Poets Laureate (our first international program) and local New York City Youth Poets Laureate. Friday, May 2nd, 6:30pm.
Click here to watch the Commencement, May 2nd, 6:30pm ET
Are you a young poet between the ages of 13-19?
Are you interested in finding new ways to be a leader in your community?
Applications for the next New York State Youth Poet Laureate will open in Spring 2025! The National Youth Poet Laureate Program aims to identify young writers and leaders committed to creating change through civic engagement and poetic excellence. Teachers & Writers Collaborative partners with Urban Word on the Youth Poet Laureate program in New York State.
Along with the official title and a cash prize of $500, the NYS Youth Poet Laureate gets both high-level performance and learning opportunities and the chance to apply to be the National Youth Poet Laureate. They will join a community of other talented young poets, including Amanda Gorman, the first National Youth Poet Laureate (2017), who read her poetry at the 2021 Presidential inauguration!
Learn more about the rules and eligibility here.
TIMELINE
February 2025
The next application period will open February 2025. Check this page again for a link to the submission form.
April 2025
The top 10 submissions will be reviewed by a panel of distinguished poets and writers. The New York State Youth Poet Laureate will be announced in April 2025.
Fall 2025
The New York State Youth Poet Laureate will be eligible to apply to be the National Youth Poet Laureate in the fall of 2025 and each year until they turn 19.
Who is eligible to apply to be the New York State Youth Poet Laureate?
- Anyone age 13-19 (at the time of submission) living in New York State
When and how can poets apply?
- Eligible poets can apply beginning February 2025. A link will be available on this page to submit a portfolio online.
- Submission Materials include:
- Contact information
- A portfolio of 3 poems in a PDF or Word Doc
- Resume/curriculum vitae (CV) information. In order to collect the CV/resume information, there are text fields for contestants to “celebrate themselves” and enter information regarding school and extracurricular participation, community and civic engagement, awards and accolades, and more. Uploading a CV or resume document is no longer required.
- There are also additional survey questions that help Urban Word develop a better understanding of the young people they serve. These questions will not affect applicant scores.
What can I do now to prepare for the application?
- Work on writing, revising, and polishing so you will have 3 finished poems by the next application period.
- Think about the ways you are engaged in your community: Do you volunteer? Do you lead a club at your school? Are you civically engaged in some way? These will be good things to list on your CV.
What does the New York State Youth Poet Laureate win?
- During the summer of 2025, the NYS Youth Poet Laureate will join other Youth Poets Laureate in a series of activities offered by Urban Word, including:
- Online Youth Poet Laureate summer camp, including writing workshops with celebrated poets and activism training
- Regional readings with other Youth Poets Laureate
- In addition, the NYS Youth Poet Laureate will receive:
- $500 cash prize and a subscription to Poets & Writers Magazine
- Eligibility to apply to be the National Youth Poet Laureate in Fall 2024 and each year until they turn 19
- The opportunity to give readings of their work once or more throughout the year, including at the New York State Poetry Out Loud final event, March 2026.
Does the New York State Youth Poet Laureate have any responsibilities?
- The Laureate will be asked to read at the NYC Poetry Out Loud final event (March 2026) and at the announcement of the 2026 NYS Youth Poet Laureate, April 2026. If travel is required, the expenses will be covered by Teachers & Writers Collaborative.
- The Laureate may be asked to read at other events hosted by Teachers & Writers Collaborative. Participation in these is optional, but they will be great opportunities for the Laureate to engage with the literary arts community.
Past New York State Youth Poet Laureates
OlaRose Ndubuisi - 2024
Stephanie Pacheco - 2023
