As the Santa Cruz County Youth Poet Laureate program wraps up its first year, participants in the program have much to be proud of. The cohort of five finalists seized the chance to lead and inspire, and local teenagers accepted the invitation to learn and write with their peers. The first Santa Cruz County Youth Poet Laureate Dina Lusztig Noyes, who is just completing her year-long tenure, says, “this program has given me so many opportunities and connected me to a community I didn’t even know existed.”
The Youth Poet program, begun when Farnaz Fatemi was Poet Laureate of Santa Cruz County, is managed by the Santa Cruz Public Libraries and fiscally sponsored by the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries. The program’s structure champions youth empowerment, social responsibility, and expression, connecting the 2024-2025 cohort with leadership opportunities across the county. Program director Farnaz Fatemi, the former Poet Laureate of Santa Cruz, supported Noyes, Madeline Aliah, Simon Ellefson, Sylvi Kayser, and Greg Souza as they projected their unique poetic voices. The talented group of five teens led poetry workshops for peers, read their original writing to audiences, and many of them accessed their first publishing opportunities.
The nominated teen poets hosted workshops at public libraries across the county, providing peer support for aspiring young writers. They also offered workshops for the Youth Led Leadership Alliance, a program associated with the County Office of Education. The planning and teaching duties essential to facilitating these workshops encouraged the finalists to see themselves as capable creatives and speakers, with teaching as a confirmation of their abilities.
The annual Youth Poet Laureate programming also included fall and winter workshops offered by established local poets, offering teen writers exposure to topics like spoken word, oral performance of poetry and generative writing strategies in beginner-friendly learning environments. These workshops were free and structured for interested young people of any experience level, and included local poets Adela Najarro, Julia Chiapella and Joseph Jason Santiago.
Of course, members of the Youth Poet cohort received countless invitations to read at public and private events throughout the county. These opportunities allow the poets to boost their confidence, refine their skills, and inspire audiences with the strength and sincerity of a rising generation.
Sylvi Kayser, finalist and youth leader, cherishes the encouragement they found as they explored identity and experimented with writing style. “I’ve also grown as a speaker through the multiple readings I’ve been invited to,” he reflects.
The program and Fatemi’s connections in the Santa Cruz poetry scene opened an experience of vibrant community to the five teen writers. Seeing themselves as part of a living local and broader network of creatives left a key impact: not only do they deserve to be amongst other artists, but they belong. Discovering togetherness reinvigorated finalist Greg Souza’s passion for writing. “I have met incredible friends,” he says.
Recognition from others within Santa Cruz’s arts and literary scene encouraged the finalists to consider their educational, professional and creative futures. They found space for their ambitions as they convened with published poets, shared stages with UCSC student writers, and received support from local radio and press.
Finalist Madeline Aliah entered the Youth Poet program as an experienced speaker and advocate, and made connections at program events and readings that further illuminated her path as an activist and academic. “I have gotten accepted into numerous universities and scholarships with my place in this program on my resume,” says Aliah.
It’s evident that the Youth Poet Laureate program and its commitment to the work of our teen writers is already being felt by others in the community. Last April’s inaugural celebration event was especially inspiring to local attendees. Community member Susan McCloskey didn’t know any of the participants in last year’s celebration but wanted to support teen poets. “Watching those young poets on that stage mesmerize us with their words and their authenticity made me feel so lucky to be a part of the Santa Cruz community where such a program exists. There is something magic in giving and receiving that public readings provide, which lets us all feel we were at the very heart of the word, community.”
Hillary Angelo, who volunteered at last year’s Celebration and plans to volunteer again this April, agrees that the community at large is a beneficiary of the YPL program. “Volunteering there was inspirational, both to see the talent of young people on display and their fearlessness and humor in being their absolute selves. It was fantastic to see and be part of this last year and it is an even more needed balm now.”
Future plans in motion for the Santa Cruz Youth Poet Laureate program and the current cohort alike will continue to uplift the young voice. Three of the cohort are editors of Waking Up, an anthology of writing by teens across Santa Cruz County (in partnership with Bay Area publisher Sixteen Rivers Press). All five in the cohort will have poems published in this anthology, due out later in 2025.
Youth Poet Laureate Dina Lustzig Noyes found purpose in amplifying her peers during her time in the program. “It’s been amazing to be supported in my art, and I’m looking forward to ensuring more youth poets in this community will be supported,” says Noyes. Now, she’s on the judging committee that will determine the next Santa Cruz County Youth Poet Laureate and cohort of finalists.
Support for this program focused on empowering young writers is more needed than ever. On April 17th, at the 2025-2026 Youth Poet Laureate Celebration at Samper Recital Hall (Cabrillo College), the 2nd Youth Poet Laureate of Santa Cruz and cohort of finalists will be named. The public’s presence is invited and wanted. Ongoing program news and updates can be found on the SCCYPL Instagram and its website.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- RSVP here for April 17th, 7pm, 2025-26 Santa Cruz County Youth Poet Laureate Celebration.
- Youth Poet Laureate teens will also be featured at the upcoming Meet Me at the New Downtown Library Festival April 26. Join us for special poetry activities for teens and adults.
Donate today. Your gift supports the Santa Cruz County Youth Poet Laureate program.
McKenna Rogers is a UCSC Humanities EXCEL Fellow working with the Youth Poet Laureate program from 2024 to 2025.