2025-26 Nebraska Youth Poet Laureate Application

The Nebraska Youth Poet Laureate position is a year-long commitment and is open to any resident of Nebraska ages 13-19.

This is a state-level position, and is part of a national network championed by Urban Word NYC, which is the organization that produced 2021 Inaugural Poet Amanda Gorman. The Nebraska Youth Poet Laureate will have the opportunity to submit their work and participate in regional and national competitions.

The Nebraska Youth Poet Laureate will:

• win $1,000 cash prize
• receive year-long mentorship from a creative mentor and civic mentor
• implement a civic-engagement project of their design, with a $2,000 budget
• read across Nebraska in no fewer than six events/presentations
• complete a chapbook (small collection) of original poems

To complete this application, you will need a creative sample of 5 original poems, a brief bio, a 500-word (maximum) essay, a resumé or brag sheet, and a headshot (can be taken on a phone!).

The Nebraska YPL program is proudly brought to you by the Nebraska Writers Collective and Civic Nebraska (2025 Presenting Partner). With thanks to Urban Word NYC for founding and championing the YPL program across the United States and beyond! 

If you have any barriers to submission, please reach out to director@newriters.org.

Creative Sample (Written Poetry)

Upload a single document (PDF or Word) with 5 original poems. Each poem should appear on a separate page. Your entry cannot exceed 10 pages. 

Brief Essay (500 words or fewer)

Upload a single document (PDF or Word) which answers the following in essay format: If appointed the 2025-26 Nebraska Youth Poet Laureate, tell us what civic engagement project you would design with a $2,000 budget. Be sure to include your motivation or inspiration behind this plan, the community you would be serving, and your connection to that community.

Brief Bio 

Write a brief biographical statement (5-10 sentences). Please be sure to use the third person. This will help us introduce you as you want to be introduced if you're chosen as a Youth Poet Laureate finalist!

Sample Bio: KEKE PEREZ is a sophmore at Raymond Central High School. A poet, birdwatcher, and enviornmental enthusiast, Perez's poetry uses simple images to make sense of the natural world and the complex people living on our planet. Perez's poetry has been published in the Raymond Central Gazette and "Wordy," a literary magazine. In 2023, Perez received the Friendship Award for helping to establish a neighborhood garden that all neighbors can access for free. In their free time, Perez enjoys hiking, drinking smoothies, and cooking with their aunt. 

Resumé or "Brag Sheet"

Upload a single-page document (PDF, Word Document) which includes your accomplishments in creativity, leadership, activism, community engagement/outreach, and awards.

A resumé typically contains sections for education, awards, employment, and skills. Your brag sheet could include these sections, or you might choose to swap some sections for "Community Engagement" or "Leadership" or any of the above options.

Sample Brag Sheet for Keke Peréz:

LEADERSHIP

• Class President of Raymond Central High School, 2023
• Vice President of Environmental Club, 2020-2023
• Regular caretaker of Peréz siblings

ACTIVISM

• Raised $250 for a local farmstead impacted by brush fire
• Wrote a letter to the editor about pollution (published in Raymond Central Gazette)
• Participated in a protest at the Nebraska State Capitol for more education dollars to be spent in rural, public high schools
  
  

And so on!

Headshot

Upload a single headshot (no selfies, please) here. Do your best to find good lighting (natural sunlight rocks!) and a plain background free from distractions. Use an iPhone or an iPad! No need for professional-grade photos. We truly just want a photo of you from the shoulders up. This photo will be used to celebrate you if you're chosen as a Nebraska Youth Poet Laureate finalist.

Nebraska Youth Poet Laureate Expectations

Please read the following statement which details expectations for the 2024-25 Nebraska Youth Poet Laureate. In order to be considered for this position, you must agree to these expectations and understand that:

• The NE Youth Poet Laureate is a year-long commitment
• The NE Youth Poet Laureate will work monthly with a creative and civic mentor
• The NE Youth Poet Laureate will complete a civic engagement project that betters their community
• The NE Youth Poet Laureate will submit an application to the regional and national Youth Poet Laureate competitions
• The NE Youth Poet Laureate will assemble a chapbook (small collection) of their own, original poems
• The NE Youth Poet Laureate will perform in at least six venues (virtually or otherwise) during their tenure
• The NE Youth Poet Laureate is a representative of the Nebraska Writers Collective and must act as such
• This is a public-facing, leadership position. The NE Youth Poet Laureate will need to be open to reading their original poems to diverse audiences of all sizes, as well as being on-camera and giving interviews. (Their mentors will, of course, be available to help through these processes!)

Nebraska Writers Collective Values

The Nebraska Youth Poet Laureate position is a program of the Nebraska Writers Collective, an Omaha-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Nebraska Youth Poet Laureate is a representative and ambassador of the Nebraska Writers Collective. Read the following statement regarding the Nebraska Writers Collective's values. In order to be considered for this position, you must agree to uphold these values.

The NWC Values:

• Inclusion
• Community
• Expression
• Justice
• Equity
• Fairness
• Creativity
• Honesty
• Communication; and
• Safety

Save the Date!

The Nebraska Youth Poet Laureate Final Ceremony will take place in Ashland, Nebraska on Saturday, April 5, 2025. If selected as a finalist, I understand that I will be expected to attend the ceremony.

Travel assistance may be available to program finalists. 

If unable to attend, apply anyway! Your application will still be considered!

Basic Contact Information

Please include an email address and phone number where you are most responsive. We will notify finalists via the email address they provide. 

Judging will conclude on March 17, 2025. Scores will be calculated and finalists will be notified by March 20, 2025.