Trending...
- Sairahaz Highlights Moissanite Wedding Rings as Couples Seek Value and Individuality in 2026
- Impact & Influence Magazine Surpasses 75,000 Subscribers Nationwide
- Sundar Ramayya and Sulekha Ramayya of EvolveNXT named EY US Entrepreneur Of The Year
Long Beach, CA ~ Long Beach, CA - On May 17, 2025, the Department of Library, Arts and Culture, in collaboration with the National Youth Poet Laureate program, the Arts Council for Long Beach, Long Beach Forward, and with support from Urban Word NYC, proudly announced the selection of Ezequiel Correa as the 2025 Long Beach Youth Poet Laureate. The live ceremony was held at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library and featured a powerful recitation of Correa's literary work.
In anticipation of next year's Youth Poet Laureate program, the Department of Library, Arts and Culture is excited to present the 2026 Long Beach Youth Poet Laureate Finals Ceremony. The event will take place on Saturday, May 16 at 1 p.m. at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library.
Correa shared his thoughts on being selected as Youth Poet Laureate: "It has become an honest labor to speak in recent years, especially when many in power intend to deceive. Serving as Youth Poet Laureate has been a remarkable opportunity to help shape a world that reflects our voices. It has not only made me a stronger writer but also a more responsible human being. What begins here grows into something much larger - our world. The readings, conversations and act of creating all add up to an experience beyond words."
The 10 finalists for this year's Long Beach Youth Poet Laureate program were also announced:
More on The Californer
- Annali Bojorquez (she/her), a junior at Long Beach Polytechnic High School who explores identity and connection through her poetry.
- Adele Odetta (she/her), a sophomore at Long Beach Polytechnic High School whose work centers on social justice issues such as gun violence, climate change and sexual trauma.
- Ajala Sen (she/her), a junior at Long Beach Polytechnic High School who is also a Los Angeles County Youth Poet Ambassador and uses poetry and music to inspire connection, political awareness and change.
- Annalysse Sullivan (she/her), a freshman at Millikan High School who balances poetry with swimming, volunteering and playing viola. She draws inspiration from stories and everyday reflection.
- Cecelia Rogers (she/her), a freshman at Millikan High School who is a young activist using poetry to express her beliefs. She also enjoys photography and performing with her theater group.
- Eden Gonzalez (she/her), a freshman at McBride High School and current Long Beach Youth Poet Ambassador whose nationally recognized work challenges social norms and explores the human experience across genres.
- Emely Ibanez (she/her), a senior at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, first-generation student, and percussionist who uplifts community voices through her poetry.
- Kieran Lundy (he/him), a sophomore at Long Beach Polytechnic High School whose work has been published and recognized by major youth literary programs. He brings a thoughtful, literary voice to his poetry.
More on The Californer
- Liam "Lee" Balmeo (they/them), a junior at Millikan High School, spoken word artist, and youth advocate whose award-winning work blends poetry and service to uplift marginalized communities.
- Ruby Giles (she/her), a sophomore at Blue Ridge Academy whose work centers on disability advocacy and using poetry as protest. She amplifies marginalized voices through writing grounded in history and social justice.
The Long Beach Youth Poet Laureate program celebrates the vibrant voices of local teens who lead with language, courage, and purpose. It recognizes young writers who use poetry and spoken word as tools for civic engagement and social change, amplifying the stories and experiences of their communities.
The Youth Poet Laureate initiative was launched nationally in 2008 by Urban Word NYC and now spans over 70 cities across the country. Long Beach joined this movement in 2023, naming Claire Beeli from Wilson High School as its first Youth Poet Laureate. The outgoing 2025-26 cohort, featuring Youth Poet Laureate Ezequiel Correa and Youth Poet Ambassadors Eden Gonzalez, Macuilquiahuitl Ixeh, Adele Odetta, and Maddox Harris, has represented Long Beach through citywide workshops, public performances, and regional literary events.
The 2026 Long Beach Youth Poet Laureate Finals Ceremony is free and open to the public. RSVPs are encouraged as space is limited. Everyone is welcome to attend and support the next generation of poetic changemakers in Long Beach. For more information, visit the Long Beach Youth Poet Laureate Program website or call 562.570.7500.
In anticipation of next year's Youth Poet Laureate program, the Department of Library, Arts and Culture is excited to present the 2026 Long Beach Youth Poet Laureate Finals Ceremony. The event will take place on Saturday, May 16 at 1 p.m. at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library.
Correa shared his thoughts on being selected as Youth Poet Laureate: "It has become an honest labor to speak in recent years, especially when many in power intend to deceive. Serving as Youth Poet Laureate has been a remarkable opportunity to help shape a world that reflects our voices. It has not only made me a stronger writer but also a more responsible human being. What begins here grows into something much larger - our world. The readings, conversations and act of creating all add up to an experience beyond words."
The 10 finalists for this year's Long Beach Youth Poet Laureate program were also announced:
More on The Californer
- Beach Streets Returns to Downtown Long Beach to Celebrate Global Soccer on July 19
- Festival of AAPI Books Returns to Long Beach Public Library with Day of Stories, Culture and Community
- Student Filmmaker Brayden Zachow Completes Short Film "The 8th & 9th Step"
- California celebrates nearly 3.5 billion universal school meals served
- THE DASH CAM: THINKWARE Launches Fourth of July and Canada Day Deals
- Annali Bojorquez (she/her), a junior at Long Beach Polytechnic High School who explores identity and connection through her poetry.
- Adele Odetta (she/her), a sophomore at Long Beach Polytechnic High School whose work centers on social justice issues such as gun violence, climate change and sexual trauma.
- Ajala Sen (she/her), a junior at Long Beach Polytechnic High School who is also a Los Angeles County Youth Poet Ambassador and uses poetry and music to inspire connection, political awareness and change.
- Annalysse Sullivan (she/her), a freshman at Millikan High School who balances poetry with swimming, volunteering and playing viola. She draws inspiration from stories and everyday reflection.
- Cecelia Rogers (she/her), a freshman at Millikan High School who is a young activist using poetry to express her beliefs. She also enjoys photography and performing with her theater group.
- Eden Gonzalez (she/her), a freshman at McBride High School and current Long Beach Youth Poet Ambassador whose nationally recognized work challenges social norms and explores the human experience across genres.
- Emely Ibanez (she/her), a senior at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, first-generation student, and percussionist who uplifts community voices through her poetry.
- Kieran Lundy (he/him), a sophomore at Long Beach Polytechnic High School whose work has been published and recognized by major youth literary programs. He brings a thoughtful, literary voice to his poetry.
More on The Californer
- Governor Newsom signs executive order to accelerate new technologies and services for California's local transit and passenger rail networks throughout the state
- For International Joke Day: Gotta Tickle Your Funny Bone? Check out "Crazy Robert's Joke Book"
- Senco Home Services Expands Residential Construction Services
- Ricci's Painting & Contracting Expands Home Transformation Services
- Best Wig for First-Time Wig Wearers
- Liam "Lee" Balmeo (they/them), a junior at Millikan High School, spoken word artist, and youth advocate whose award-winning work blends poetry and service to uplift marginalized communities.
- Ruby Giles (she/her), a sophomore at Blue Ridge Academy whose work centers on disability advocacy and using poetry as protest. She amplifies marginalized voices through writing grounded in history and social justice.
The Long Beach Youth Poet Laureate program celebrates the vibrant voices of local teens who lead with language, courage, and purpose. It recognizes young writers who use poetry and spoken word as tools for civic engagement and social change, amplifying the stories and experiences of their communities.
The Youth Poet Laureate initiative was launched nationally in 2008 by Urban Word NYC and now spans over 70 cities across the country. Long Beach joined this movement in 2023, naming Claire Beeli from Wilson High School as its first Youth Poet Laureate. The outgoing 2025-26 cohort, featuring Youth Poet Laureate Ezequiel Correa and Youth Poet Ambassadors Eden Gonzalez, Macuilquiahuitl Ixeh, Adele Odetta, and Maddox Harris, has represented Long Beach through citywide workshops, public performances, and regional literary events.
The 2026 Long Beach Youth Poet Laureate Finals Ceremony is free and open to the public. RSVPs are encouraged as space is limited. Everyone is welcome to attend and support the next generation of poetic changemakers in Long Beach. For more information, visit the Long Beach Youth Poet Laureate Program website or call 562.570.7500.
0 Comments
Latest on The Californer
- Salt Lake City Families Turn to Private Autopsy Services for Faster Answers After Unexpected Loss
- K2 Integrity's U.S. and EMEA Teams Again Recognized in Chambers and Partners 2026 Guides
- California becomes the first state to launch a tool to monitor and track artificial intelligence's impacts on the workforce
- Connecta Satellite Solutions Ready to Support Emergency Communications Following the Venezuela Earthquake
- Rare 1933 Harold Weston painting will be auctioned to benefit the Keene Valley Library
- $20 Million Revenue Target, Accelerating Growth, 7% Of Outstanding Shares Retired, Clear Path Toward Profitability: VSee Health, Inc N A S D A Q: VSEE
- RadioMobile Announces Sponsorship of the Burn Institute's Firefighter Demolition Derby & Fire & Safety Expo
- What If Creativity Is Your Natural State? "The Spark Sessions" Reclaims It as a Birthright
- HomeCentris Home Health Achieves 5-Star CMS Rating
- gptmelo Helps Brands Become More Visible in AI Search Results
- Shabnam Vafaee & Peter Sharokhi's Dream of helping people
- California: What they're saying: Leaders thankful for continued resources to help Los Angeles fire survivors
- Senior Technology Launches on iOS and Android
- Patchdesign.ai Launches First AI-Powered Platform to Deliver Custom Patches Worldwide in 10 Days
- California's earthquake warning system notified over one million people ahead of Northern California quake
- Adsoptia Launches AI-Powered Optimization Platform for a New Era of Autonomous Marketing Decisions
- California: Governor Newsom welcomes FEMA extension to help Los Angeles fire survivors continue recovery
- KooLooAI Selected Among Top 100 Companies in Pepperdine University's 2026 Most Fundable Companies®
- Governor Newsom convenes the first meeting of California's Tech Fraud Task Force to help strengthen consumer protections
- Heritage at Manalapan Announces New Incentive: Included Finished Basement on Select Homesites