The members of the New Hampshire Youth Poet Laureate Committee, a juried panel of New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, have selected Rachel Sturges as one of just two Youth Poets Laureate.
As the letter of appointment states in part: “We admired your poems, your presentation, and your thoughts … We had an exceptionally strong list of candidates and because of this, we awarded the title of NHYPL to two young poets. The committee was thoroughly astounded by the poetry, support letters, and ideas shared by each of the candidates.”
“Committee members are impressed by your excellent vision for the role, specifically utilizing social media; prior commitment to attending young writers conferences; and belief that poetry can help us understand our lives,” the letter continued. “Your superior, crafted poetry contains imagery with emotion embodied in it, rather than simply talking about feelings; in other words, it looks outward from the self rather than simply at the self.”
“The NH Youth Poets Laureate will serve in an honorary one year-position and act as ambassadors to heighten the visibility and value of poetry by and for young people in New Hampshire,” the letter concluded.
Sturges’ appointment will run from September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2020. Falon Smith of Littleton High School in northern NH will also serve as one of the 2019-2020 NH Youth Poets Laureate.
Congratulations, Rachael, we are all excited by your appointment!