Ellie Bleharski, a student at Piedmont High School, was named a 2024 finalist for the Alameda County Youth Poet Laureate. Young poets in this competition are recognized by Alameda County as demonstrating skill in the arts, particularly poetry and/or spoken word. They are strong leaders, they are committed to social justice, and are active in civic discourse and advocacy.
The winners of the competition are Jovina Zion Pradeep and Ashwika Jani, both of Fremont.
All finalists for the Youth Poet Laureate competition are provided with opportunities to share their poetry in their communities and beyond, and can compete for regional, statewide, and national recognition.
This year the 2021 Poet Laureate Zoe Dorado became the runner-up in the National Youth Poet Laureate competition.
Bleharski is the founder of Matcha House, a publishing company that features young writers’ work from all across the country. She talks about her writing journey and publishing venture in a February 2024 Piedmont Highlander interview HERE.