Congratulations to Howard County’s Youth Poet Laureate, Penelope Tofigh!
A junior at River Hill High School, Penelope Tofigh is a passionate writer and a dedicated member of River Hill’s theater program, wind ensemble, jazz band, and marching band. As a poet, she distinguished herself in the 2025 Poetry Out Loud competition—earning first place at River Hill, going on to win the Maryland State title, and ultimately becoming a National Semi-Finalist.
As Howard County’s next Youth Poet Laureate, Tofigh plans to host regular poetry slams for county youth and lead workshops focused on both writing and performance.
This honorary, one-year position is formally appointed by the County Executive based on recommendations from an artistic and community review panel, coordinated by the Howard County Arts Council and HoCoPoLitSo. Tofigh’s term will run from September 2025 through August 2026, during which she will receive a $500 stipend. Learn more about the Youth Poet Laureate program at hocoarts.org/youth-poet-laureate.