This is a joyful opportunity to appreciate our county’s youth and let their unique voices shine.

The program will include readings by the five finalists and an announcement of the inaugural youth poet laureate.

Guest poets include:

Joseph Jason Santiago LaCour, local poet & performer, reciting a poem for the Youth Poet Laureate finalists

Valentina Russell, Poetry Out Loud Santa Cruz County champion, Aptos High School student

Food and beverages available from the Kuumbwa Jazz Center.

Sponsored by Santa Cruz Public Libraries, County Office of Education, Arts Council of Santa Cruz County & Urban Words, with additional support from the Rotary Club of Santa Cruz . Additional gratitude to Two Birds Books.