Young Poet Laureate of Long Beach | Long Beach News

A rising senior from Poly High School, Ajala Sen, has been crowned the 2026 Youth Poet Laureate of Long Beach — a title that comes with a $1,500 scholarship and elite poetry training. Her raw, honest verses tackle Long Beach’s social realities, from immigration to neighborhood disparities, while her stage presence — shaped by music and dance — turns spoken word into electrifying performances. Winning her school’s poetry slam with a piece that celebrated the city’s resilience sealed her selection. At heart, Sen believes poetry is a bridge — a communal force to build connection, understanding, and shared humanity. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/d7664f276636a208