The art of College poetry

In a world where the intersection of art and academia often feels elusive, Harvard College has become a unique hub for young poets. This year, the prestigious institution is home to one current and two former National Youth Poet Laureates, a legacy that began with Amanda Gorman ’20. Evan Wang ’29, Salome Agbaroji ’27, and Alyssa Gaines ’26 recently shared their experiences with the Harvard Gazette, discussing how the title of National Youth Poet Laureate has shaped their lives, the challenges of balancing arts and academics, and the evolution of their poetry during their time at Harvard.

Evan Wang, the 2025-2026 National Youth Poet Laureate, is a busy young artist. When he sits down to write—often late at night in his dorm room—he thinks not just of the words on the page, but also of how they will sound when spoken aloud. “When I’m prepping for a performance, I think of ways that I can accentuate certain aspects of the poem,” he said. “I really want to have fluctuation; it should never be monotone. Which word you choose to stress within the poem redefines the meaning.” Wang’s dedication to his craft has led him to numerous performances across the globe, including the Google DeepMind headquarters in London, the AFS Youth Assembly in New York, and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage in D.C. His debut chapbook, “Slow Burn,” is set to be released next month, and he is currently collaborating with a composer on a choral piece that the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia will premiere in June.

Wang’s journey into poetry began in 2021, when a spoken word poem he wrote and performed about his own experiences with racial microaggressions gained attention in his school district. “That just really motivated me to continue writing about my own experiences, because I realized how quickly a poem about myself can become a poem for others,” he reflected. This realization not only fueled his passion for poetry but also deepened his commitment to using his voice to address broader societal issues.

Salome Agbaroji, the 2024 National Youth Poet Laureate, also found her voice through poetry. During her time at Harvard, she has explored themes of identity, resilience, and hope. Agbaroji’s poetry often delves into her Nigerian heritage and her experiences as a Black woman in America. “Poetry has been a space for me to process my identity and to find my place in the world,” she said. Balancing her academic pursuits with her artistic passions has been a challenge, but Agbaroji has found that the two are not mutually exclusive. “Academics and poetry are both about exploring ideas and expressing them in meaningful ways,” she explained. “They’re both about finding your voice and sharing it with others.”

Alyssa Gaines, the 2023 National Youth Poet Laureate, approached her time at Harvard with a similar mindset. Her poetry often centers on themes of love, loss, and the human experience. Gaines credits her time at Harvard with helping her refine her craft and broaden her perspective. “Being surrounded by such talented writers and thinkers has been incredibly inspiring,” she said. “It’s given me the confidence to experiment with different styles and to push the boundaries of my own work.”

The National Youth Poet Laureate program, established in 2017, aims to recognize and celebrate the voices of young poets across the United States. The laureates are chosen through a rigorous process that includes public readings and judging panels composed of literary experts and community leaders. The program has been instrumental in elevating the voices of poets like Amanda Gorman, who became the youngest-ever Poet Laureate of the United States in 2020.

For the current and former National Youth Poet Laureates at Harvard, the title represents more than just an honor; it is a call to action. It is a commitment to using their voices to inspire others, to challenge the status quo, and to create a more inclusive and empathetic world. As they continue to navigate the complexities of their dual identities as scholars and artists, these young poets are not only redefining the art of college poetry but also paving the way for future generations of writers to embrace the power of their words.