Nebraska Writers Collective begins search for state’s next youth poet laureate

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Nebraska Writers Collective is calling on youth artists and creators as the search for the state’s next youth poet laureate begins.

Nebraska’s current youth poet laureate, Tanya Bachu, says she hopes to inspire Lincoln youth to create as the search commences.

“I’ve just always loved writing, and poetry specifically,” she said. “I just found such a love for it because there’s so many different forms that you can take, so much that you can write about, while still expressing your emotions and your feelings.”

Bachu, a sophomore at Brownell Talbot in Omaha, says her English teacher inspired her to apply.

“I just wanted more opportunities to share my poetry,” she said. “I have always loved writing, but I never really share it as much, so I was thinking that through this position, I could share my poetry more.”

On a national scale, the program has nurtured voices like Amanda Gorman, who delivered her poem “The Hill We Climb” at President Joe Biden’s inauguration.

Bachu says Gorman’s works, along with the creations of other writers, motivate her daily as she works to inspire Nebraska youth.

“Have fun with your application; don’t stress yourself out about the application or anything like that,” she said. “Just make sure that you submit poetry that you really love and that you have put your emotions, your thoughts and your feelings into.”

The selected poet will be announced in May.  The state’s next youth poet laureate will receive up to $2,000 to put toward a civic engagement project.

Applications can be submitted starting on Wednesday.  The deadline to submit is March 24.