2026 Commencement Event

In 2023, the North American Review became a community partner for the Cedar Valley Youth Poet Laureate program, crowning its first laureate Lamya Pratchett  in April 2024, and the second laureate, Daniel Umemezie, in April 2025. In fact, Daniel is the 2025 Midwest finalist, and will compete for the title of National Youth Poet Laureate on April 25th in Omaha, Nebraska.

The Cedar Valley Youth Poet Laureate Program is one of ninety-two programs across the nation, and one of the few Midwestern chapters. The program is open to teens aged 13-19 living in one of eight Iowa counties that comprise the Cedar Valley (Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Chickasaw, Fayette, Grundy, & Tama). The program provides mentorship, workshops, publication opportunities, and scholarships to the University of Northern Iowa. This title includes a $250 cash prize, a $500 scholarship from UNI, the opportunity to become an ambassador for poetry in the Cedar Valley, and possible publication by the North American Review. Runners-up will also receive UNI scholarships and other prizes.

You are invited! 

This year's finalists will compete for the title of Cedar Valley Youth Poet Laureate on Saturday, April 18th. North American Review contributing editor and National Book Award winner Martín Espada will select the 2026 Cedar Valley Youth Poet Laureate and perform a reading of his poetry at the event, with book sales and signing to follow during the reception. Join us on April 18th at the Hearst Center for the Arts, 304 West Seerley Blvd. in Cedar Falls, Iowa from 3:00-5:00 pm. This event is free and open to the public, and we encourage poets to bring their families, teachers, classmates and friends to support them in the audience. 

For more information about the program, subscribe to the CVYPL substack, Pass the Mic or follow their Instagram: @cv_youthpoetlaureate.