KENNEDY SHIVERS – 2026 SOUTH FLORIDA YOUTH POET LAUREATE
FT LAUDERDALE, FL – The Jason Taylor Foundation is proud to announce that Kennedy Shivers has been named the 2026 South Florida Youth Poet Laureate (SFYPL). Kennedy, an exceptional young writer and scholar from College Academy at Broward College, earned this distinction through an extraordinary portfolio that demonstrated originality, technical mastery, and a deeply resonant poetic voice.
A full-time dual enrollment student completing both her high school diploma and Associate of Arts degree simultaneously, Kennedy has already distinguished herself as one of South Florida’s most dynamic emerging literary talents. Her accomplishments include multiple Gold & Silver Key Awards in the 2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, with four works advancing to national adjudication, including “The Game of Life is Rigged”, an American Voices Nominee. Beyond poetry, Kennedy is also a Congressional App Challenge winner, student journalist, coder, and civic leader whose work reflects both intellectual depth and creative innovation.
The Omari Hardwick bluapple Poetry Network, the Jason Taylor Foundation, and community partners will host a special presentation and book release celebration in honor of Kennedy’s achievement later this spring. Additional details will be announced soon.
This year’s South Florida Youth Poet Laureate Ambassadors are Patrick Keedy Brown of Ransom Everglades School and Paula Sofia Moreno of Cypress Bay High School, two remarkable young leaders whose accomplishments also exemplify the power of youth voice and literary excellence.
Patrick Keedy Brown is an award-winning poet, YoungArts National Winner in Writing/Poetry, National Merit Semifinalist, and Brown University Book Award recipient whose work bridges poetry, policy, and global scholarship. His accolades include multiple national Scholastic medals, publication honors, and extensive leadership in literacy, civic engagement, and international studies.
Paula Sofia Moreno is a young editor, nonprofit advocate, and communications leader whose work spans literary publishing, fashion media, youth activism, and community service. Through editorial leadership at Florescence Magazine, hospital volunteerism, and nonprofit board service, Paula exemplifies storytelling as a force for compassion and social impact.
“The Youth Poet Laureate program continues to showcase the extraordinary brilliance, vision, and leadership of young people across South Florida,” said Shawntee` Herring, Program Director of the Omari Hardwick bluapple Poetry Network. “Kennedy, Patrick, and Paula represent the future of literary excellence, civic engagement, and creative leadership. Their voices remind us that poetry is not only art, but influence, innovation, and impact.”
As South Florida Youth Poet Laureate, Kennedy will serve as a literary ambassador for the region, collaborating with the Jason Taylor Foundation and Urban Word to promote literacy, social awareness, and youth expression through poetry. She will also publish an original chapbook and advance to represent South Florida in the National Youth Poet Laureate competition through Urban Word.
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 its inception, the Foundation has impacted tens of thousands of youth 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.
For more information, please visit www.JasonTaylorFoundation.org or follow @bluapplepoetry on social media.
