St. Stephen’s Senior Named 2024 Austin Youth Poet Laureate

The Library Foundation and the National Youth Poet Laureate have named Ella Kim ’25 the 2024 Austin Youth Poet Laureate.

The Youth Poet Laureate program, supported by the Austin Public Library, spotlights young Austin writers who are committed to civic and community engagement, poetry performance, social justice and education.

Kim, a 17-year-old senior at St. Stephen’s, has served as editor and graphic designer for “The Bell,” the school’s newspaper, and is highly involved in the theater program —  regularly taking on lead roles in numerous plays and musicals. She recently won First Prize in Princeton University’s Lewis Center of the Arts Ten-Minute Play contest.

Her poetry, which sometimes explores her Korean heritage, was lauded by the judges for its “command of language and exploration of the poetic line.”

Five finalists were also selected to share their poetry in readings and public programs. The finalists are:

“We are proud of these young poets for the work they have done already, and the work they will do during their year together celebrating poetry and making it accessible to others,” said Katherine Lamb, programs manager at The Library Foundation who served as one of the judges. “While all poets see the world in a different light, we believe that these young voices in particular have much to say and much for us to listen to.” 

This year’s panel of judges also included Katrina Brooks, owner of Black Pearl Books; Jennifer Chang, poet and Professor at The University of Texas; Kathleen Houlihan, teen librarian at Austin Central Library; Amanda Johnston, Texas Poet Laureate, and Cecily Parks, poet and Professor at Texas State University.

During their term, Austin Youth Poet Laureates serve as a representative for youth voices in Austin, participating in public readings and programs. Their poetry is published in a chapbook and included in the National Youth Poet Laureate anthology.

To read the full story and learn more about the award click here.