SCARSDALE, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — For some, the title “Poet Laureate” might conjure images of a sage – someone mature and venerable.
The title is given to those who use their creativity and voice to inspire change and influence, but it’s not just reserved for a certain age group.
As WCBS 880’s Sean Adams learned in this week's “Difference Makers: Stories from Main Street,” all across the United States, there are teenagers and young adults being given the honor – and Westchester County recently appointed its first ever.
“I’m a junior at Scarsdale High School and I’ve recently been named the first Youth Poet Laureate,” said Danielle Kohn.
In her new position, Kohn will work to increase an appreciation for reading and writing among her peers while working with local libraries, schools and youth development programs to promote youth poetry.
County Executive George Latimer, who appointed the teenager to the influential position says he believes “it’s essential that we help our youth develop the skills and desire to read.”
“Appointing a Youth Poet Laureate is another innovative way we can engage our youth and spark interest around literacy,” Latimer added.
Kohn, who is now a part of the National Youth Poet Laureate Program, says she began writing poetry when she was in the second grade. During recess she would take a clipboard and paper onto the playground and compose.
She hopes that in her new role, she can encourage schools to place a stronger emphasis on literacy and creative writing.
“While we’re sort of focusing on the math and science, that doesn’t also mean that English should be ignored and there's a lot of value in English and poetry that I feel like is being lost in this era of technology,” she says.
She currently brings her poetry to hospitals, nursing homes, drug treatment centers, schools and libraries across Westchester County and hopes to organize more poetry readings and after school workshops.
“We can keep poetry alive and well,” she tells Adams.