A Youth Poetry Star of Our Own
By Dateline Staff on January 26, 2021
"Amanda Gorman impressed the nation with her poem at last week’s inauguration and put the spotlight on youth literary arts organizations across the country, including UC Davis’ own Sacramento Area Youth Speaks, or SAYS.
One day after the inauguration, SAYS Director Patrice Hill announced that “our very own Alexandra Huynh has been named the Youth Poet Laureate Western Regional Ambassador and will advance as a finalist in the National Youth Poet Laureate competition ... the same prestigious title that the amazing Amanda Gorman previously held.”
'This is monumental and exciting news for Alex, SAYS, the Sacramento arts community and the young people of Sacramento,' Hill said. 'Alex now stands among the top youth poets in the nation and SAYS is honored to stand alongside this journey with her.'
Sacramento Area Youth Speaks, based at the Greater Sacramento Urban League and co-managed by UC Davis Enrollment Management and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, is working this year with some 500 youths in more than a dozen junior high schools and high schools. Four UC Davis undergraduates and two community-based artists serve as mentors."