River Hill HS Student Named Howard County Youth Poet Laureate

September 30th, 2025

Poetry has played a role in Penelope Tofigh’s life as long as she can remember.

“My dad always read Shel Siverstein to me when I was little,” the River Hill High School (RHHS) junior recalls. “Poetry became something that felt close to me and gave me comfort.”

As she grew older, Tofigh turned to poetry as her emotional outlet.

“Some people journal; I write poetry,” she says. “Poetry is faster to write than a story, and it allows me to be more flexible in form and style, which is especially important when I’m feeling a big emotion and just want to get my thoughts out.”

Tofigh’s love of and talent for writing poetry has earned her numerous awards, including a first-place finish in Maryland’s 2025 Poetry Out Loud competition.

Last week, Tofigh added being named Howard County Youth Poet Laureate to her list of poetic accomplishments. Tofigh was formally appointed to the position by County Executive Calvin Ball, having received the support of a review panel composed of members of the Howard County Poetry & Literature Society (HoCoPoLitSo) and the Howard County Arts Council.

“I was so excited when I learned that I had won,” Tofigh says. “It’s such a great opportunity to help foster community interest in poetry.”

As Youth Poet Laureate, Tofigh will serve a one-year term as an arts ambassador, helping to coordinate readings and literary events in Howard County.

Howard County’s Youth Poet Laureate program was launched in 2023 in partnership with the Howard County Arts Council and the Howard County Poetry & Literature Society (HoCoPoLitSo). The program aims to amplify the power of youth expression, celebrate community, and promote literary arts in Howard County.

Read Penelope Tofigh’s poem, “I Have to Say I’ll Miss You In a Poem,” published in the RHHS Literary Magazine.