Worcester, MA — City Manager Eric Batista, Mayor Joe Petty, and the Office of Cultural Development announced Worcester Technical High School student Serenity Jackson as the third Youth Poet Laureate of Worcester on Monday.
Jackson received a ceremonial medal crafted by local metal artist Pam Farren and delivered her inaugural readings at the city council and school committee inauguration on Tuesday.
“Through this new platform I believe I can increase awareness of, provide access to, and encourage more engagement in the literary arts and the power of spoken word,” said Jackson.
The role of Youth Poet Laureate, alongside the Worcester Poet Laureate, involves acting as an ambassador for the city’s rich poetry and literature heritage. Both laureates are tasked with promoting local writers and highlighting the transformative power of poetry and the written word.
Jackson succeeds Adael (Ace) Mejia, the City’s second Youth Poet Laureate. She will be mentored by current Worcester Poet Laureate Oliver de la Paz, who will continue his term through 2025.
“I commend Adael Mejia for his dedication and service as Youth Poet Laureate and I am thrilled to welcome Serenity C. Jackson, who stood out from a very talented pool of applicants,” said City Manager Eric D. Batista
The selection process for the Youth Poet Laureate involved a five-person committee that reviewed various applications. The Worcester Youth Poet Laureate program, initiated in 2019, sees Jackson taking up the mantle as its third appointee, signifying an ongoing dedication to nurturing young literary talent in the city.
