APTOS >> Many municipalities have a poet laureate to serve as ambassadors of all things poetic while also reading poems at events and educating the public about this form of artistic expression. Naturally, Santa Cruz County — being the creative enclave that it is — has had a poet laureate since 2010, but it does not limit this position to just adult poets.

A youth poet laureate is given the honor as well.

Last year, Santa Cruz Public Libraries named Pacific Collegiate School student Dina Lusztig Noyes as the county’s first youth poet laureate. With her term winding down, the county is ready to name its next youth poet laureate and has whittled down its pool of applications to five finalists. They will present their work in a special event at Cabrillo College April 17, where a new youth poetry leader will be named.

Starting in December, Santa Cruz Public Libraries — in conjunction with Urban Word, the Watsonville Public Library, the Santa Cruz County Office of Education and Arts Council Santa Cruz County — announced that applications were open for the next youth poet laureate position. The position was made available to county residents between the ages of 13 and 18 who were passionate about poetry, wanted to promote the art to the wider community and were willing to commit to a one-year term and live locally for the duration of the title. Much like the adult position, the youth poet laureate is tasked with promoting the art of poetry throughout the county, whether through workshops, civic functions or readings, while also encouraging their peers to take part in the art form. The position also allows for publishing opportunities.

Following a monthslong application process that included readings before a panel of judges and optional drop-in workshops, five finalists have been named: Sylvi Kayser of Aptos High School, Mason Leopold of San Lorenzo Valley High School, Finn Maxwell of San Lorenzo Valley High, Noemi Romero of Pajaro Valley High School and Xander Shulman of Santa Cruz High School.

All five finalists, along with Lusztig Noyes and other members of the outgoing cohort of 2024 finalists, will read at the April 17 event, after which a new youth poet laureate will be named. The winner will receive a $500 cash prize, and each finalist will receive $100 each as well as prizes donated by Two Birds Books in Capitola.

Members of last year’s cohort agreed that the youth poet laureate program has provided them with invaluable experience.

“I have been able to run workshops, help create a youth anthology that gives a voice to my peers, and connect with fellow poets on a level I never could’ve without the program,” said Lusztig Noyes in a statement.

Madeline Aliah, a finalist from last year, wrote that the program provided her with “access to … networking opportunities to put momentum into my social justice career.”

The youth poet laureate celebration is 7 p.m. April 17 at Cabrillo College’s Samper Recital Hall, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. Free food and drinks will be provided. Admission and parking are free, and people can reserve their seats at EventBrite.com.