Santa Cruz Public Libraries and former Santa Cruz County Poet Laureate Farnaz Fatemi, in partnership with Urban Word, have named Vicky Arabella Tinnell of Santa Cruz High School as the 2026-27 Santa Cruz County Youth Poet Laureate.
Tinnell was selected from a cohort of finalists that included Bella Dowd of Delta High School, Felice Rickwald of Branciforte Middle School, Ash Raznick of Cypress High School and Ror Spaugh of Aptos High School.
The announcement was made during a celebration April 16 at Kuumbwa Jazz Center. The event, hosted by Fatemi and Nancy Miller Gomez, the current Santa Cruz County Poet Laureate, featured readings by members of the Rising Voices Collective, each of the Youth Poet Laureate finalists and poets from the outgoing cohort.
San Lorenzo Valley High School senior Finn Maxwell, the 2025-26 Youth Poet Laureate, introduced the incoming 2026-27 cohort and announced Tinnell as the new Youth Poet Laureate.
Tinnell, a high school senior, writes poetry informed by her Congolese roots and her life in Santa Cruz. Her work often explores themes of identity, belonging and resilience, aiming to reflect the experiences of young people navigating contemporary challenges.
She is an active member of the Rising Voices Youth Poetry Collective, and her poetry has appeared in local youth anthologies. Outside of writing, she participates in performing arts, volunteering and community-building activities.
As Youth Poet Laureate, Tinnell will serve a one-year term as a county ambassador for poetry, social action and civic engagement. She will continue developing her own work while encouraging other young writers through readings, workshops and public appearances throughout Santa Cruz County.
