Austin has a new young voice ready to take the mic — and she’s doing it with poetry.
As the Austin Library Foundation prepares to launch applications for the 2026 Austin Youth Poet Laureate program on July 1, the organization is also celebrating the accomplishments of its current titleholder.
Teens ages 13 to 18 who live in the greater Austin area and have a passion for poetry, storytelling and community engagement will soon have the opportunity to apply for the prestigious role.
Teens ages 13 to 18 who live in the greater Austin area and have a passion for poetry, storytelling and community engagement will soon have the opportunity to apply for the prestigious role.
Saaya Accapadi has been named the Austin Library Foundation’s 2025 Austin Youth Poet Laureate, a role that spotlights youth creativity, community connection and the power of young people to tell their stories through writing.
The honor recognizes Accapadi as one of Austin’s standout emerging talents, and she appeared on “We Are Austin” to talk about what the title means to her and what comes next.
“As an Austin Youth Poet Laureate, the goal of the job is to essentially spread the role of poetry through both youth and adults in our society. Recently, I did a reading at South by Southwest, spreading it and then spreading it towards an audience that might be unfamiliar. Kind of having one foot in the place where the poetry and the art are, and one place where people might not be so familiar. In my day-to-day life, it kind of looks like helping a sophomore with their English assignment for poetry, and then on the other side, it kind of looks like learning things myself because every opportunity is also a learning journey for myself.”
The Austin Library Foundation, which sponsors and supports the Youth Poet Laureate program, is dedicated to identifying, nurturing and celebrating young literary talent throughout the community. The program provides a platform for young writers to use their voices to inspire change and connection through poetry.
“Honestly, I can’t fully begin to convey the gratitude that I feel for this. It’s just such an immense responsibility and one that I’d happily take any day. It’s brought me so much joy and reshaped how I see the world in terms of civic justice, and even how I view my own emotions.”
As Austin’s Youth Poet Laureate, Accapadi is expected to help celebrate and elevate youth voices across the community, using poetry as a way to connect with others and share perspectives.
As Austin’s Youth Poet Laureate, Accapadi is expected to help celebrate and elevate youth voices across the community, using poetry as a way to connect with others and share perspectives.
“As an Austin Youth Poet Laureate, the goal of the job is to essentially spread the role of poetry through both youth and adults in our society. Recently, I did a reading at South by Southwest, spreading it and then spreading it towards an audience that might be unfamiliar. Kind of having one foot in the place where the poetry and the art are, and one place where people might not be so familiar. In my day-to-day life, it kind of looks like helping a sophomore with their English assignment for poetry, and then on the other side, it kind of looks like learning things myself because every opportunity is also a learning journey for myself.”
During the show, Accapadi also discussed her writing and what poetry means to her personally, along with some of the projects she has in the works — including a chapbook. She was also invited to share a poem on air.
Accapadi’s work is a reflection of the mission behind the Austin Library Foundation’s Youth Poet Laureate program, which seeks to discover, support and amplify young voices across Central Texas. Foundation leaders say the program not only celebrates literary talent, but also encourages civic engagement, creativity and community impact among local teens.
Saaya Accapadi has been named the Austin Library Foundation’s 2025 Austin Youth Poet Laureate, a role that spotlights youth creativity, community connection and the power of young people to tell their stories through writing. The honor recognizes Accapadi as one of Austin’s standout emerging talents, and she appeared on “We Are Austin” to talk about what the title means to her and what comes next.
As the Austin Library Foundation looks ahead to the future of the program, applications for the 2026 Austin Youth Poet Laureate will open July 1. Teens ages 13 to 18 who live in the greater Austin area and have a passion for poetry, storytelling and community engagement are encouraged to apply.
The foundation hopes to continue discovering and supporting the next generation of writers who want to make a difference through their words. If you know a young writer who loves poetry and wants to make a difference in their community, now is the perfect time to encourage them to apply.
Those interested in learning more about the Youth Poet Laureate program, the Austin Library Foundation’s work, or applying for the 2026 program can visit AustinLibrary.org for additional information.
Those interested in learning more about the Youth Poet Laureate program, the Austin Library Foundation’s work, or applying for the 2026 program can visit AustinLibrary.org for additional information.
The Austin Library Foundation continues to play a vital role in identifying, nurturing and celebrating young literary talent throughout the Austin area, helping ensure that the next generation of storytellers has a platform to be heard.
Accapadi said programs like this help ensure young voices are heard and celebrated, while giving aspiring writers opportunities to grow both as artists and community leaders.
Those interested in learning more about the Youth Poet Laureate program, the Austin Library Foundation’s work, or applying for the 2026 program can visit AustinLibrary.org for additional information.