Way to Go! Ward Melville student named teen poet laureate

A student at Ward Melville High School in East Setauket has been named Suffolk County's first teen poet laureate.

Ella O'Connor, who just completed her sophomore year, received the designation after winning a competition coordinated by the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association in conjunction with the Suffolk County Legislature. 

To get selected, O'Connor was first picked to represent her school in the competition and was later named one of several finalists who recited two original poems and discussed their plans for the position over Zoom. Candidates were evaluated on the quality of their poetry and evidence of youth leadership and civic engagement.

"I feel like we're in a time where youth voices are being brought to the center stage in a way they've never been before," said O'Connor, 16. "As a whole, my generation is really exceptional at finding ways to express themselves, and I feel like poetry is one of the most powerful ways to do this."

In her new two-year role, O'Connor plans to implement ideas ranging from a nature poetry workshop for middle schoolers in local parks and preserves to a database that features the work of local poets. 

O'Connor is also treasurer of her school's Model UN Club and French Honor Society, and a member of the swim team, mock trial team, school newspaper, Diversity Club and Girl Up Club.

— MICHAEL R. EBERT

By Michael R. Ebert

michael.ebert@newsday.com

Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.