New Rochelle 9th Grader Chosen As Westchester Youth Poet Laureate

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Westchester County has two new Youth Poet Laureates, one from New Rochelle and one from Sleepy Hollow.

At a recent news conference, County Executive George Latimer introduced Harmony Hopwood, a New Rochelle ninth grader, and Alexa Murphy, a Sleepy Hollow 11th grader, who were selected as poet laureates after a search conducted by the Westchester County Youth Bureau.

Latimer said the county was lucky to have talent of all ages and in all fields.

“Poetry provides those who enjoy it an outlet to express themselves and better understand the experiences of others through their own expression,” he said.

“Alexa and Harmony embody that spirit,” Latimer said, “and it was a pleasure to hear their stories and spoken word.”

Hopwood goes to New Rochelle High School and said she’s been interested in creative writing her whole life.

She said it has helped create a window of expression for those around her.

Hopwood’s goals have always been surrounded by wanting to represent excellence and create change in any way she can.

As Youth Poet Laureate, she said she would like to provide diversity in her preferred fields and create more opportunities within her community for people like her.

Murphy attends the Masters School in Sleepy Hollow, where she is also a member of the school’s spoken-word poetry group, called Outspoken.

She first joined the group in her sophomore year and said the experience helped her discover her deep passion for the art.

Murphy also writes for her school’s newspaper, Tower, and is captain of the school’s debate team.

In her position as Youth Poet Laureate, she said she will do all she can to serve her county and return a portion of all it has given her.