LAUDERDALE, FL – The Jason Taylor Foundation is thrilled to announce that Hanna Masudi has been named the South Florida Youth Poet Laureate (SFYPL) for the 2024-25 school year. Hanna, a distinguished young poet, submitted an outstanding writing portfolio that captivated the judges.
The Omari Hardwick bluapple Poetry Network, the Jason Taylor Foundation, and the Communication Department of A. W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts hosted a special presentation and book release party in honor of Hanna’s accomplishment. The event was held on Tuesday, May 20, at the school’s Black Box Theater located at 501. S. Sapodilla Ave., West Palm Beach, 33401.
Hanna Masudi is an award-winning writer with numerous accolades, including Rotary International World Peace Initiative Poetry Competition Winner (Grade 7) published works featured in Seeds in the Black Earth with poems such as “A Race With Race” and “Sweet Tea” (Grade 9) received Honorable Mentions by Gigantic Sequins Literary Arts Magazine and Scholastic Arts and Writing for poetry (2022).
The South Florida Youth Poet Laureate competition is a collaboration between the Jason Taylor Foundation’s Omari Hardwick bluapple Poetry Network and Urban Word, a New York-based literary arts education organization. This year’s Honorable Mentions are Karmiah Smith from A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts and Angel Jiang from Pompano Beach High School, who will both serve as SFYPL Ambassadors for 2025.
“The Youth Poet Laureate program allows young writers to express their unique voices and perspectives as writers rather than performers,” said Shawntee Herring, Program Director of the Omari Hardwick bluapple Poetry Network. “I am so inspired by the talent and depth of thought these young poets display at their tender age. Congratulations to Hanna, Karmiah, and Angel, as well as all participants.”
As Youth Poet Laureate, Hanna will collaborate with the Jason Taylor Foundation and Urban Word to promote community and social awareness through poetry. The South Florida Youth Poet Laureate will also publish a chapbook, celebrated at an upcoming book release party. Details of the event will be announced soon. In addition, Hanna will have the opportunity to compete for Urban Word’s National Youth Poet Laureate competition.
About the Jason Taylor Foundation Established in July 2004 by Miami Dolphins legend Jason Taylor, the Jason Taylor Foundation is dedicated to supporting programs that promote the personal growth and empowerment of South Florida’s children. Since opening its doors, the Jason Taylor Foundation has impacted tens of thousands of children through innovative programming including The Jason Taylor Reading Room, Cool Gear for the School Year, the Jason Taylor Children’s Learning Center, Jason Taylor Scholars and the Omari Hardwick bluapple Poetry Network, among others. For more information on the Jason Taylor Foundation, please visit www.JasonTaylorFoundation.org or follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/jasontaylorfoundation or Twitter: www.twitter.com/@jtfoundation99 or www.twitter.com/@bluapplepoetry.
