Scarsdale Teen Appointed 1st Youth Poet Laureate In Westchester​

WHITE PLAINS, NY — In an effort to further promote literacy, County Executive George Latimer and Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden, executive director of the Westchester County Youth Bureau, appointed Westchester County’s first youth poet laureate. Danielle Kohn, a junior at Scarsdale High School, was selected for the new position.

She will work with the Westchester County Youth Bureau to increase appreciation for reading and writing among her peers in collaboration with local libraries, schools and youth development programs.

Latimer said it was essential that the county helps its 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," he said. "I applaud Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden for her efforts in developing this initiative.”

Kohn, who has been writing poetry since she was in second grade, brings her poetry to hospitals, nursing homes and drug treatment centers across Westchester County. She has studied at Sarah Lawrence College, Stony Brook University, the University of Virginia and the Writopia Lab and has received multiple Scholastic Gold Medals for her work.

She thanked Latimer for creating the position.

"In doing so, he is acknowledging that the arts are important in Westchester," Kohn said, "and that young people have a place in the arts."

Find and “Like” Hudson Valley Patches' Facebook Pages.