Daly City program names youth poet laureate after sixth annual commencement; first runner-up named

Clayne Koo, president of the Daly City Public Library Associates, opened the sixth annual Daly City Youth Poet Laureate commencement, noting the program’s partnership with Urban Word and the city’s $2,500 honorarium for the laureate.

Mayor Glenn Sylvester welcomed attendees and framed the poet laureate role as a bridge across Daly City’s diverse communities, praising the program for uplifting young voices and encouraging civic engagement.

Adonis Marcelino, vice chair of the Daly City Recreation Commission and the evening’s emcee, introduced six finalists who read original work that ranged from personal accounts of stuttering and immigrant labor to reflections on identity and racialized fear. Finalists included Francis Martinez (Westmore High School), Nigel Pinas, Sui Nguyen, Bilgun Bachucto, Mia Monterosa Campos and Harold Monce; outgoing city youth poet laureate Kaylee Chu and regional laureate Chloe Chow also read and offered remarks.

DCPLA executive director Victoria Magbelong described the organization’s mission and said DCPLA has provided substantial funding for local libraries; the program asked for donations to support continued programming.

Judge and outgoing laureate Kaylee Chu told finalists she saw recurring themes of culture, identity and social justice in their submissions. Chloe Chow, the U.S. Western Region Youth Poet Laureate and a former Daly City Youth Poet Laureate, read a longer piece and thanked the community for its support of youth writers.

At the program’s close, Chloe Chow announced the first runner-up as Harold (surname captured elsewhere in the transcript as “Montz”). The transcript and recording do not clearly capture the full name of the winner as announced onstage; organizers distributed certificates from Daly City and DCPLA and invited attendees to photos and a reception.

The ceremony celebrated the program’s sixth year and emphasized mentorship, community representation and opportunities for finalists to continue developing their craft.