OlaRose Ndubuisi (17 years old) was announced as the 2024-2025 New York State Youth Poet Laureate at an event last night, April 18, 2024 by Urban Word and Teachers & Writers Collaborative in collaboration with Girls Write Now.

OlaRose was selected out of 75 applicants by a panel of judges who are former Poet Laureates for her body of poetry about scoliosis and her curriculum vitae, including the level of community engagement and activism.

The NYS Youth Poet Laureate Program recognizes young writers and leaders committed to creating change through civic engagement and poetic excellence.

Along with the official title and a cash prize, the NYS Youth Poet Laureate gets both high-level poetry performances and learning opportunities for poetry and activism, as well as the chance to apply to be the National Youth Poet Laureate every year until they turn 19. She will join a community of other talented young poets, including Amanda Gorman, the first National Youth Poet Laureate (2017), who read her poetry at the 2021 Presidential inauguration.

As the New York State Youth Poet Laureate, OlaRose Ndubuisi hopes to raise awareness for scoliosis and the invisible struggles that the youth face. She also hopes to encourage the use of creative outlets like writing, art, and music to cope with pain and emotions.

On accepting her award, OlaRose gave a speech and recited her poem “Scoliosis is a Curved Path to Heaven”.

Click here to watch OlaRose’s award acceptance speech and poetry recitation.