Youth Poet Laureate

Championing the power of youth voice to create, unite, and lead.

The Seattle Youth Poet Laureate program identifies, supports, and celebrates a young writer who is committed to both poetic excellence and civic engagement.

Since 2015, the Seattle Youth Poet Laureate has served as a vital youth voice to the broader literary community. In addition to being an active member of the Youth Poetry Fellowship, the Seattle Youth Poet Laureate receives:

  • A $500 stipend.
  • Numerous public reading opportunities.
  • One-on-one manuscript development and publication mentorship.
  • A poetry chapbook published by Poetry Northwest Editions.
  • The eligibility to compete in the Regional Poet Laureate and National Youth Poet Laureate competitions.

The program is a holistic investment in and a celebration of the development of a young writer. Previous Seattle Youth Poet Laureates have gone on to participate in the Jack Straw Writers Program, receive the Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship, and publish numerous works.

We are honored to partner with the National Youth Poet Laureate Program, an initiative of Urban Word, an award-winning youth literary arts and development organization.

2025/26 Seattle Youth Poet Laureate

Ahsenti Alfedi, the 2025/26 Seattle Youth Poet Laureate, is a first-generation American of Ethio-Sudanese descent and a student at the Bush School. A multidisciplinary Piscean, she moves fluidly between poetry, acrylic/oil painting, and movement—always led by curiosity and feeling. As a writer, Ahsenti turns most often to poetry. Her work shows resistance to categorization because she follows her intrigue; the fleeting moments that spark inspiration to create. Through her writing, she hopes to make space for those navigating layered identities, vulnerability, and for stories that make people feel seen in their most intricate and unspoken parts.

Past Laureates

Janae Lu

2024/25 Seattle Youth Poet Laureate

Mateo Acuña

2023/24 Seattle Youth Poet Laureate

Sah Pham

2022/23 Seattle Youth Poet Laureate

Zinnia Hansen

2021/22 Seattle Youth Poet Laureate

Bitaniya Giday

2020/21 Seattle Youth Poet Laureate

Wei-Wei Lee

2019/20 Seattle Youth Poet Laureate

Azura Mizan Tyabji

2018/19 Seattle Youth Poet Laureate

Lily Baumgart

2017/18 Seattle Youth Poet Laureate

Maven Gardner

2016/17 Seattle Youth Poet Laureate

Leija Farr

2015/16 Seattle Youth Poet Laureate
A group of 40 people seated and standing watch a presentation in a colorful, brightly lit bookstore.

Seattle Youth Poet Laureate Chapbook Launch

Tuesday, June 23, 2026 7:00 pm PT

Please join us in celebrating the launch of the 2025/26 Seattle Youth Poet Laureate Ahsenti Alfedil’s chapbook. Published by Poetry Northwest Editions, this is the eleventh edition of the Seattle Youth Poet Laureate series. Ahsenti Alfedil will read from her new collection alongside other talented youth poets. This event is free and open to the public.

Event Info

Books

In All Spaces Liminal by Janae Lu

$16.95

Purchase

Dear Spanish by Mateo Acuña

$14

Purchase

Lovelike by Sah Pham

$14

Purchase

Spikenard by Zinnia Hansen

$14

Purchase

Motherland by Bitaniya Giday

$14

Purchase

In the Footsteps of a Thousand Griefs by Wei‑Wei Lee

$14

Purchase

Stepwell by Azura Tyabji

$14

Purchase

Bring the Seattle Youth Poet Laureate to your next event.

Want to invite the Seattle Youth Poet Laureate to your event? Submit a speaker request form, and our team will follow up shortly.

Submit Form

Are you the next Seattle Youth Poet Laureate?

Interested in applying to be the next Seattle Youth Poet Laureate? If you’re between the ages of 14-19 and are committed to poetry and civic engagement, we encourage you to head to the “Get Involved” section of our About page to learn more and apply. Applications are open in April 2026.

OPPORTUNITIES