Westchester County Looking For Youth Poet Laureate

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Westchester County is looking for the next Youth Poet Laureate.

Whoever is chosen will be the second poet laureate in the history of the county.

The position was officially created in 2019 by County Executive George Latimer in response to requests from Scarsdale teen Danielle Kohn and county Youth Bureau Executive Director Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden.

Latimer said he was honored to introduce the first youth poet laureate, a position that few other counties have undertaken.

"We are particularly proud of the immensely talented youth who have the courage to share their private thoughts through their poetry with the world," he said. "We look forward to appointing the next youth poet laureate in the coming months."

The youth poet laureate will work with the county Youth Bureau by creating opportunities that encourage children and young people to engage in myriad activities ranging from creative writing, spoken word poetry, playwriting and filmmaking.

If selected, the person will collaborate with educational institutions such as schools and colleges, local libraries, after-school programs, along with current Westchester County Poet Laureate BK Fischer.

Fischer said she's eager to work with the next youth poet laureate to bring the power of words and imagination to more people of all ages in Westchester.

"Our young people have everything at stake," she said, "and poetry is one way they can give voice to their fiercest hopes, fears and visions for the future."

Any young person who is interested in applying should email Susan Weisman in the Westchester County Youth Bureau here by Friday, Oct. 7.