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Congratulations, Gavin Knauft, for being selected as North Haven's 2025-2027 Youth Poet Laureate.
What's the Youth Poet Laureate?
The title of Youth Poet Laureate (YPL) is given to a North Haven teen who has demonstrated poetic, academic, and creative excellence in our community. The selected student will serve a two-year term as a literacy ambassador, working to instill an appreciation and love of poetry within local youth.
Past and Current Youth Poet Laureates
2025-2027: Gavin Knauft, NHHS '26
2023-2025: Naomi Borenstein, NHHS '24 & ECA '24
What is expected of the YPL?
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Youth Poet Laureate expectations include, but are not limited to, reading original poetry at community events, facilitating literacy-focused activities in elementary and middle schools, and working closely with the library to present a youth poetry competition each summer. Additionally, the YPL will have the freedom to participate in poetry-related projects of their choice, particularly ones that align with their personal interests and strengths.
Ideal YPL candidates are teens interested in resume-building, expanding their poetry portfolios, and honing leadership abilities. See here for full the Youth Poet Laureate job description and requirements.
Upon successful completion of the Youth Poet Laureate program, the selected teen will receive a $500 scholarship courtesy of the Friends of the North Haven Library.
ELIGIBILITY & APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
~ To be considered, candidates must be residents of North Haven between the ages of 13 and 18.
~ Applications for our 2027-2029 Youth Poet Laureate will open in the fall of 2026.
Applications are required to include the following:
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A signed copy of the job description and requirements form (button below)
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A signed copy of the program information form (button below)
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A signed copy of the North Haven Youth Poet Laureate Application Form and Required Materials Sheet (button below)
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Three original poems that showcase your content, craft, and voice
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Please note: Submissions should be no more than 5 pages in length
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A recommendation letter from an adult who is familiar with your writing, academic achievements, and/or community involvement
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An artist statement: Introduce yourself! Tell us who you are and what poetry means to you
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Your statement should be 250 words maximum
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If applicable, please include a separate paragraph listing any publications, awards, community service, or work experience
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Name and contact info of your legal guardian, unless you will be 18 years old by February 1, 2027
ARE YOU READY TO APPLY?
A fillable PDF of the application can be downloaded via the button below, while paper copies can picked up at the Information Desk (1st Floor). You decide which application method is easier for you.
Completed applications and all accompanying documents may be emailed to poetlaureate@northhavenlibrary.net
or returned, in person, to the Information Desk by TBD.
For more information about the Youth Poet Laureate program, please call the library at 203-239-5803.
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