SSP is proud to congratulate alumna Crystal Valentine (St. Raymond Academy, ’12) on being named New York City Youth Poet Laureate. Crystal has been writing poetry since she was a teen and her work focuses on hot-button issues such as politics.

After graduating from SRA, Crystal went on to attend NYU where she is now a junior. As Youth Poet Laureate, she hopes to raise awareness among her peers and community regarding voter turnout and political awareness. “‘If we’re not voting when we’re young, we’re not going to vote later,’” Crystal is quoted in New York Daily News, “‘I want them to be aware of whats going on in their community.’”

To read the entire article click HERE.

Congratulations Crystal! We can’t wait to see what you do next!