Monterey County's new Youth Poet Laureate, Anton MacLachlan, will serve in this role until the summer of 2027.
MacLachlan will begin his one-year term on July 1, promoting literacy and poetry all over the county. A $1,000 honorarium comes with the honor—as do responsibilities.
Throughout his term, MacLachlan will collaborate with current Monterey County Poet Laureate Marie Boucher to organize and participate in events and presentations that promote poetry, spoken word, and youth expression throughout the county.
El Salvador-born MacLachlan spent his early childhood living with his family in Malta and China, until moving to New Jersey, where he discovered his love for music, dancing, languages and math. He has been a P.G. resident since 2025 and he attends Pacific Grove High School.
Poetry became important to him during the pandemic when MacLachlan started to write his own poems.
He also has appeared in two PGHS musicals and performs with the PGHS orchestra, jazz band and choir. He also sings with the Monterey Jazz Festival All-Star Vocal Ensemble, plays piano with the Monterey Jazz Festival All-Star Big Band, and is currently in rehearsal for his third musical with PacRep in Carmel.
“Our youth carry powerful stories, perspectives, and creativity that deserve to be heard,” said Jacquie Atchison, executive director of the Arts Council for Monterey County in a statement announcing the new appointment. “The Youth Poet Laureate program creates opportunities for young people to share their voices, inspire empowering conversations and strengthen community through storytelling, creativity and connection.”
The County Board of Supervisors is set to make it official and recognize MacLachlan as Monterey County Youth Poet Laureate at 10:30am on Tuesday, June 9 in the board chambers in Salinas, followed by a 5:30pm ceremony in the community room at the Marina library.
The afternoon event will feature performances by Anton and five other youth poets.
All applicants for the Youth Poet Laureate program submitted a resume, statements on civic engagement and social justice, as well as five original poems. The next opportunity to apply comes in April 2027.
For more details about the Youth Poet Laureate program, visit arts4mc.org/youth-poet-laureate.