2025/26 Kentucky Youth Poet Laureate

Esme Morris

Lexington, KY

Esme Morris is a sophomore at Lafayette High School in the SCAPA Literary Arts program. Outside of writing, Esme is a member of her school's Speech and Debate Team, and she participates in Lafayette Theatre.

Beyond school, she is a competitive Irish dancer with the McTeggart Irish Dancers. Esme has loved writing, specifically poetry, since she was in elementary school, and is forever grateful that she can share her work with her community.

Esme is honored to represent Kentucky as the 2025/2026 Youth Poet Laureate!

ABOUT THE YOUTH POET LAUREATE PROGRAM
The Kentucky Youth Poet Laureate program is a collaborative initiative between GRAC and Urban Word, designed to recognize and uplift young writers and leaders dedicated to civic engagement, community service, diversity and inclusion, and amplifying youth voices across the Bluegrass. This program not only emphasizes the vital role of youth perspectives in shaping civic discourse, but also highlights how young people are uniquely poised to remind us of our responsibility to future generations, to our children, and to the ideals that bind us all. Read more about the National Youth Poet Laureate Program HERE