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The Youth Poet Laureate acts as an advocate and county ambassador for poetry, social action and civic engagement. They will champion their own poetic practice while also encouraging their peers to take part in the artform through readings, workshops and appearances at events and engagements throughout the county.
You are eligible to apply if:
You are eligible to apply if:
you live in Santa Cruz County
you are between the ages of 13 and 18 on application deadline (March 1st).
you are available to serve as Laureate for the program year, which means that you will live locally the whole year (April 2026 - April 2027).
Application Requirements
Application Requirements
All applicants will be required to submit a portfolio of five original poems, along with a resume or brag sheet reflecting civic engagement, leadership and/or social justice experience. See more information about the resume/brag sheet here. Five finalists will be selected.
Poetry portfolios will be assessed based on the following characteristics:
Poem is thoughtfully composed (word choice, varied syntax, few unnecessary words)
Poem is interesting and creative
Poem uses figurative language, sensory language
Memorable ideas/themes/subject matter
Each of the five selected finalists' resume/bragsheet will be evaluated for their community service and leadership. Finalists will also be asked to appear privately with the judges to read one of their poems out loud. See key dates below.
All finalists will receive a $100 cash honorarium, and the Youth Poet Laureate will receive a $500 cash honorarium.
In addition, the Youth Poet Laureate will receive a $100 gift card from Two Birds Books and the finalists will each receive a $25 gift card from Two Birds Books.
Key Dates 2026
Key Dates 2026
February 2026: Optional application/portfolio workshops
March 1, 2026: Application deadline (11:59pm)
March 21, 2026: In-person reading with the judges
March 31, 2026: Finalists announced
April 16, 2026, 7PM: Public celebration of finalists and announcement of the Santa Cruz County Youth Poet Laureate at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz.
Judges
Judges
Victoria Bañales, Watsonville Poet Laureate
Jacqueline Danziger, Librarian, Santa Cruz Public Library
Farnaz Fatemi, former Santa Cruz County Poet Laureate
Finn Maxwell, 2025-26 Youth Poet Laureate
Hannah Tool, Poet, Harbor HS English Teacher
Questions? See FAQs here or email Farnaz Fatemi sasqi@mac.com
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