2023 Rhode Island Youth Poetry Ambassadors Announced

2023 Rhode Island Youth Poetry Ambassadors Announced

Rhode Island Poet Laureate, Tina Cane and The Rhode Island Center for the Book have chosen Natasha Connolly of Classical High School as the state’s 2023 Youth Poetry Ambassador and Sadie Jackson of Classical as the 2023 Deputy Youth Poetry Ambassador. 

Karuna Lohmann of Quest Montessori High School, Marvellous Awe of Classical High School and Favour Akinnagbe of Blackstone Academy received Honorable Mentions.

"[My goal] is to encourage other Rhode Island youth to develop a love of poetry by sharing the work of a diverse array of poets with the community through social media and other tools, as well as encouraging youth to write their own poems," said Connolly. 

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A lifelong reader, Connolly is often inspired by the work of other poets, including favorites such as Richard Siken, Sylvia Plath and Ocean Vuong. She has also read Rick Riordan’s Heroes of Olympus series approximately 50 times. 

Judge and State Poet Cane also selected Jackson to serve as Rhode Island’s new Deputy Youth Poetry Ambassador. The Deputy Youth Poetry Ambassador collaborates with the Ambassador and performs any duties in her stead, should she be unavailable. 

“I hope to share my experience of the universe and discover life in the words of others," said Jackson. I believe that there is nothing more wonderful than that which language can offer: simple comfort and human connection.

A launch and reading celebration will take place at the Rhode Island State House Library on January 27 at 5:30pm.

Connolly and Jackson will receive a $1,000 and $500 cash prize, respectively, and the opportunity to have their poetry featured through the Poetry in Motion, RI on RIPTA busses state-wide.