Riverside County Teen Poet Laureate
Congratulations to the 2026 Riverside County Teen Poet Laureate!
Aymarie Daughtery
Rancho Verde High School | Val Verde USD
1st Runner-Up
Atika Anjum
Canyon Springs High School | Moreno Valley USD
2nd Runner-Up
Charlie Johnson
Valley View High School | Moreno Valley USD
Three Poets of Note
Kiley Devore
Western Center Academy | Hemet USD
Kimiko Kitayama
Canyon Springs High School | Moreno Valley USD
Nassani Gooden
Western Center Academy | Hemet USD
2026 Teen Poet Laureate Finalists
In recognition of their creativity, talent, and powerful voices, each finalist received a Certificate of Recognition and had their poetry published in this year’s Teen Poet Laureate chapbook. The chapbook will also be available at the county library nearest their home or school.
| Student | School | District |
| Alena Gutierrez | Valley View High School | Moreno Valley USD |
| Allana Beckman | Valley View High School | Moreno Valley USD |
| Bonnie Gonzalez | Western Center Academy | Hemet USD |
| Brandon Ordonez | Valley View High School | Moreno Valley USD |
| Briana Martinez | Valley View High School | Moreno Valley USD |
| Bridgette Johansen | Western Center Academy | Hemet USD |
| Caitlin Angelique Buensuceso | Centennial High School | Corona-Norco USD |
| Clarabelle Alvarez | Great Oak High School | Temecula Valley USD |
| Genesis Bautista | Valley View High School | Moreno Valley USD |
| Hailynn Robinson | Western Center Academy | Hemet USD |
| Hennessy Parra | Valley View High School | Moreno Valley USD |
| Ixchel Martinez Vazquez | Desert Hot Springs High School | Palm Springs USD |
| Joey Lopez | Valley View High School | Moreno Valley USD |
| Johnte Bouldin | Valley View High School | Moreno Valley USD |
| Jonah Zurer | John W North High School | Riverside USD |
| Joy Leon | Mission Vista Academy | Beaumont USD |
| Layla Arciniega | Valley View High School | Moreno Valley USD |
| Lilith Haag | Valley View High School | Moreno Valley USD |
| Makayla Castaneda | Western Center Academy | Hemet USD |
| Matthew Munguia | Canyon Springs High School | Moreno Valley USD |
| Nicole Phan | Palm Desert High School | Desert Sands USD |
| Savannah Wishon | Valley View High School | Moreno Valley USD |
| Vixen Brown | Valley View High School | Moreno Valley USD |
| Zack Romo | Valley View High School | Moreno Valley USD |
Join Us in Celebrating Young Voices!
We are proud to celebrate these outstanding young poets whose creativity, talent, and powerful voices continue to inspire our communities!
Renee Rojanaroj
Arts Administrator
rrojanaroj@rcoe.us