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The Loudoun Youth Poet Laureate is an opportunity for young poets in Northern Virginia to use their voices to inspire change.

Become the next Youth Poet Laureate (YPL)!

Become the next Youth Poet Laureate (YPL)! Become the next Youth Poet Laureate (YPL)! Become the next Youth Poet Laureate (YPL)!
Applications Open in September

The Loudoun Youth Poet Laureate is an opportunity for young poets in Northern Virginia to use their voices to inspire change.

Become the next Youth Poet Laureate (YPL)!

Become the next Youth Poet Laureate (YPL)! Become the next Youth Poet Laureate (YPL)! Become the next Youth Poet Laureate (YPL)!
Applications Open in September

Welcome to the Loudoun Youth Poet Laureate Program!

  

Applications for the inaugural Loudoun County Youth Poet Laureate are now open! The National Youth Poet Laureate Program aims to identify young writers and leaders committed to creating change through civic engagement and poetic excellence. Loudoun Community Press partners with Urban Word on the Youth Poet Laureate program in Virginia.

Along with the official title and a $1,000 scholarship, the Loudoun Youth Poet Laureate gets both high-level performance and learning opportunities and the chance to apply to be the National Youth Poet Laureate. They will join a community of other talented young poets, including Amanda Gorman, the first National Youth Poet Laureate (2017), who read her poetry at the 2021 Presidential inauguration!

Apply in September 2025

Loudoun Youth Poet Laureate Open Mic at Blend Coffee Bar

The Loudoun Youth Poet Laureate Program is co-hosting an open mic at Blend Coffee Bar. Bring your poems and music and share your talent.

Register

Youth Poetry Workshop with Arlington Poet Laureate

Arlington Poet Laureate Emerita Holly Karaptakova provides poetry workshop for participants in the Loudoun Youth Poet Laureate Program. Check our calendar for upcoming dates.

Add to Calendar

The Loudoun Youth Poet Laureate Program Timeline

August 2025

Attend an Information Session in Brambleton, Leesburg, or Sterling. See above to register.


September 2025

The next application period will open September 2025. Check this page again for a link to the submission form.  


November 2025

The top 10 submissions will be reviewed by a panel of distinguished poets and writers. The Loudoun Youth Poet Laureate will be announced in April 2025. 


April 2026

The Loudoun Youth Poet Laureate will be eligible to apply to be the National Youth Poet Laureate in the fall of 2025 and each year until they turn 19.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at jessica@loudounyouthlaureate.org if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Anyone age 13-19 (at the time of submission) living in Loudoun, Fairfax, Clarke and Fauquier Counties.

  • Eligible poets can apply beginning September 2025. A link will be available on this page to submit a portfolio online. The submission deadline is November 30, 2025.
  • Submission Materials include:
    • Contact information
    • A portfolio of 3 poems in a PDF or Word Doc
    • Resume/curriculum vitae (CV) information. In order to collect the CV/resume information, there are text fields for contestants to “celebrate themselves” and enter information regarding school and extracurricular participation, community and civic engagement, awards and accolades, and more. Uploading a CV or resume document is no longer required.
    • There are also additional survey questions that help Urban Word develop a better understanding of the young people they serve. These questions will not affect applicant scores.

  • Work on writing, revising, and polishing so you will have 3 finished poems by the next application period.
  • Think about the ways you are engaged in your community: Do you volunteer? Do you lead a club at your school? Are you civically engaged in some way? These will be good things to list on your CV. 

  • During the summer of 2026, the Loudoun Youth Poet Laureate will join other Youth Poets Laureate in a series of activities offered by Urban Word, including:
    • Online Youth Poet Laureate summer camp, including writing workshops with celebrated poets and activism training
    • Regional readings with other Youth Poets Laureate
  • In addition, the Loudoun Youth Poet Laureate will receive:
    • $1,000 scholarship 
    • A copy of The Loudoun Guide
    • Eligibility to apply to be the National Youth Poet Laureate in Fall 2026 and each year until they turn 19
    • The opportunity to give readings of their work once or more throughout the year, including at the Loudoun Youth Poet Laureate final event, in April 2026.

  • The Laureate will be asked to read at the Loudoun Youth Poet Laureate final event (April 2026). 
  • The Laureate may be asked to read at other events hosted by Loudoun Community Press. Participation in these is optional, but they will be great opportunities for the Laureate to engage with the literary arts community.

Rules and Eligibility

We offer a variety of educational services to help you achieve your goals. Whether you're looking to improve your skills, prepare for an exam, or learn something new, we have something for you. Our experienced instructors are here to guide you every step of the way. Explore our courses and start your journey today!

Rules and Eligibility

Events

The National Youth Poet Laureate Program

The National Youth Poet Laureate program works with local youth literary arts organizations across the United States to identify and celebrate exceptional youth poets who use their voice to inspire change. The program is an initiative of Urban Word, an award-winning youth literary 

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