We are thrilled to recognize Vianey Aguirre-Villalobos as the 2022 Salinas Youth Poet Laureate. Vianey is an 18-year-old Alisal High School Alum who has been using writing and poetry as a form of expression since the third grade. “I love poetry and I love to inspire people with my writing and make a change in my community,” says Vianey.  It’s “a way to cope, a way to express, a way to change people's views, poetry has become my solution to many things.” 

"We are thrilled to continue the Youth Poet Laureate program again this year and are excited to see the incredible level of participation from our young adults, “ said Salinas Mayor Kimbley Craig.  Mayor Craig along with judges Daniel Summerhill (current Monterey County Poet Laureate), James B. Golden (former Salinas Poet Laureate), and Kenya Burton (former Salinas Youth Poet Laureate) had the tough task of judging this year’s entries.  

This year’s Vice Laureate is Mahi Shah, a 15-year-old Junior from Notre Dame High School who has turned her long-held passion for writing into a passion for writing poetry.  

They were both presented with their awards by the Friends of the Salinas Public Library (FOSPL)  board members on November 19, 2022.

We look forward to working with both Vianey and Mahi during the next two years to generate awareness for and celebrate poetry throughout Salinas, especially among our young adults. Stay tuned for future events and appearances with our Youth Poet Laureates.  

Support for this program is provided by Friends of the Salinas Public Library (FOSPL) who provided funding to award a cash scholarship to the Salinas Youth Poet Laureates. FOSPL is a nonprofit organization of volunteers that works to provide supplemental funding for library programs and services, and to create public awareness and community support. 

For questions, please call Ernesto Lizaola at (831) 758-7229.