Latchison Named Hayward’s First Youth Poet Laureate

Hayward Youth Poet Laureate Germani A. Latchison was presented with a certificate of recognition at the council meeting on Tuesday, April 5. From left City of Hayward Poet Laureate Bruce Roberts, Hayward first Youth Poet Laureate Germani A. Latchison, and City of Hayward Mayor Barbara Halliday.

When Amanda Gorman dazzled the country with her poetry at President Biden’s inauguration, the question came up—Why doesn’t Hayward have its own Youth Poet Laureate?

So, this past February, a young Hayward resident—Germani Latchison—was named Hayward’s First Youth Poet Laureate.  Her selection was the product of important community organizations—Hayward Arts Council,  Hayward Unified School District,  Alameda County Supervisor  Richard Valle, and of course, the City of Hayward—coming together to provide city-wide information about the program, as well as funds to reward the winners.   

Coordinated by Hayward Arts Council Executive Director Winda Shimizu, aided by HUSD Visual and Performing Arts Tosa, Mina Mengawala,  and Hayward Poet Laureate Bruce Roberts,  applications were accepted, and judges found. 

Carol Henrie, Jayanti Addelman, and Pat Doyne are accomplished poets in the local art community,   Cal-State helped recruit Aline Soules and Trinie Dalton from their faculty, and all helped Hayward Poet Laureate Bruce Roberts judge the 10 fine young poets who applied.  

Besides Germani,  second and third place went to Pabi Constantino and Ky’ree Taylor.   Awards of Merit went to Ruchita Verma,  Malaya Aroma,  Hayden Orellana,  and Shreya Rathaur.    An N. Nguyen, Joyce Sandiage, and Armani Gomez received Honorable Mention.

Come to Hayward’s Heritage Plaza on April 30 at 3pm to hear these fine young poets celebrate life with their poems.

Visit haywardartscouncil.org for art exhibitions and programs.