A BUDDING wordsmith from Stratford Girl’s Grammar School has been appointed Warwickshire’s Young Poet Laureate.
May Vaughan was selected for the role for 2023/24 after battling against her fellow young poets in a poetry contest.
The Laureateship is open to anyone aged between 13 and 17 who lives and is educated in Warwickshire and is a opportunity for the successful candidate to develop their writing skills and take part in events and activities across the county under the mentorship of a professional poet.
Past Warwickshire Young Poet Laureates have performed on the radio, on film, at festivals and led their own poetry workshops.
This year’s winner was determined following a selection day at Rugby Library. Five shortlisted candidates took part in a 90-minute workshop with Coventry Poet Laureate 2021/23, Emilie Lauren Jones, who shared creative tips and advice about how to successfully deliver poetry performances.
The candidates then each took part in interviews in front of a judging panel, which consisted of delivering a poetry performance and answering a series of questions, including sharing their ideas about the Young Poet Laureate role.
Warwickshire County Council’s spokesperson Coun Yousef Dahmash said: “Entering its ninth year, Warwickshire’s Young Poet Laureate scheme is a fantastic opportunity for the young people in our county to immerse themselves in the creative world of poetry through reading, writing, and performance.”
The Young Poet Laureate competition is run by Warwickshire Libraries.
Entries for Warwickshire’s Young Poet Laureate 2024/25 will open in June 2024 at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/youngpoetlaureate
