Medford Selects Its Next Steward Of Poetry

MEDFORD, MA — Resident Max Heinegg has been named the next Poet Laureate of Medford, Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn announced.

The West Medford resident has been teacher in the public school district for more than 25 years. Beyond his vocation, Heinegg has published nearly 300 poems and recorded 10 musical albums. He expressed his excitement for his new position and that he hopes he can increase interest in one of his greatest passions throughout the city.

“His (Heinegg’s) experience in our community, especially our schools, coupled with his dedication to his craft made him an ideal candidate,” Lungo-Koehn said.

Heinegg is taking over for previous Poet Laureate Vijaya Sundaram, whose two-year term is scheduled to end on Monday, June 30. One month later, Heinegg will be sworn in at the Alden Memorial Chambers. The Medford Poet Laureate receives a yearly $2,000 stipend. Heinegg becomes only the third poet laureate in the city’s history, as the position was not established until 2021.