Upper School student Hoshiko H. '26 was named the 2026 NYC Youth Poet Laureate at the Youth Poet Laureate program’s commencement ceremony. Hoshiko was named the winner after her performance that evening, which included reading both a one-minute and a three-minute original poem. After the 10 finalists took the stage, the 2025 NYC Youth Poet Laureate announced the two runners-up and ultimately named the next title-holder. As the NYC Youth Poet Laureate, Hoshiko represents the National Youth Poet Laureate program, founded by Urban Word NYC.

Reflecting on her win and the craft of writing, Hoshiko envisions poetry as a lifelong pursuit. “Poetry… doesn’t always feel like a pursual to me, but an expression that claws until it’s on the page,” she says, describing the medium as both instinctive and cathartic. “Every word we breathe is poetic, every step we take a stanza. Now, more than ever, it’s important that we recognize this intrinsic value in our life.”

The award included two separate application cycles. The first required submitted poetry, a performance recording, and a short biography detailing accomplishments, civic engagement, and leadership. From there, 10 finalists were selected for a deeper portfolio review, submitting their competition poems along with up to three additional pieces. The program places equal emphasis on writing and performance, celebrating poetry as both a literary and spoken art. Over four weeks, participants were guided by poets Ramya Ramana, the 2014 NYC Youth Poet Laureate, and Gabriel Ramirez, the 2014 runner-up.

Hoshiko views her title as a way to step into a year of literary leadership—one rooted in community, authenticity, and a deep belief in the transformative capacity of language. “There is nothing more powerful than speaking your mind, shaped by your heart,” she says. “This allows poetry to be accessible to everyone, and become as natural as breathing.”