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Alameda County Library has announced this year’s youth poet laureate and vice youth poet laureate are Dublin students, following a countywide competition in April.
Dublin resident Krishita Kataria will assume the role of Alameda County youth poet laureate, and Tatiana Hernandez, also of Dublin, will serve as vice laureate, the library said. As poet laureates, they will serve through August 2027 by performing at community events, leading poetry workshops and competing in potential competitions.
In April, the youth poet laureate competition began, drawing 47 applications from teens across Alameda County. A panel of judges chose Kataria and Hernandez, as well as three additional finalists – Fremont residents Sana Arora, Dhatrisri Biruduraju and Dhaanvi Jaipuriar.
An award ceremony was hosted at the Castro Valley Library earlier this month, with the youth laureates also winning a suite of Apple products.
According to the county library, Kataria, who was also a finalist in 2025, combines her poetry with African American studies and history. Hernandez draws on her Indigenous, African American and Latin cultures to explore various topics in her poetry.
“Every year, we’re reminded that this competition is more than poetry. It’s about creating space for young people to share the truths of their generation and their hopes for the future,” said Alameda County librarian Deb Sica in a statement. “Alameda County Library is honored to provide a platform where teens are welcomed, valued, and celebrated.”
– Story by Kelcie Lee, Bay City News Service
