Second Youth Poet Laureate Named For Howard County

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — A River Hill High School junior has been named Howard County's second youth poet laureate.

Penelope Tofigh is an avid writer and an active member in River Hill’s theater program, wind ensemble, jazz band and marching band. As a poet, Tofigh earned first place at her high school, then went on to become Maryland’s state winner and ultimately a national semi-finalist in the 2025 Poetry Out Loud competition. As the county’s next youth poet laureate, she plans to host a regular poetry slam for county youth, as well as host a poetry workshop on how to write and how to perform their piece, the county shared.

“I believe that every person who reads, writes, and recites poetry deserves to feel secure in their understanding and passion for it,” Tofigh said at a news conference. “I know that if I didn’t have the teachers, family and mentors that cheered me on and helped me grow, I wouldn’t be anywhere near the person (or poet) that I am today. That is why it will be my mission to share that experience with the next generation of artists.”

In November 2023, Ball launched Howard County’s inaugural Youth Poet Laureate program in partnership with the Howard County Arts Council and the Howard County Poetry and Literature Society.

“Poetry has the transformative power to give shape to our emotions and share meaning from our experiences, allowing us to see ourselves and each other more clearly. By amplifying youth voices through poetry, we not only nurture creativity but also ensure that the next generation has a platform to be heard, to inspire and to lead,” Ball said . “Congratulations to Penelope on her appointment as Howard County’s next youth poet laureate. An avid writer and talented poet, Penelope will play an important artistic role in our community, enhancing and uplifting poetry among our young people in Howard County.”

The youth poet laureate will act as an ambassador for literacy, arts and youth expression in Howard County, and demonstrate a passion for poetry and its power to connect communities through local public readings and participation in civic events. The youth poet laureate also will coordinate readings and literary events with the Howard County Public School System and Howard Community College.