Join Westport Library for a National Poetry Month celebration featuring the finalists from this year's Youth Poetry Contest. The young poets will read their work along with Westport's poet laureate, Donna Disch, who will lead a workshop where participants will write their own poems.
The contest is affiliated with the National Garden Club’s Youth Poetry Contest and enables youth to embrace their creativity through the art of writing. The theme for the 2026 competition is: "Plant America for the next 100 years."
Community partners include Westport Arts Advisory Committee and Westport Garden Club.
Finalists from the WGC contest move on to the CT State contest sponsored by Federated Garden Clubs of CT and National Garden Clubs, Inc.
Why You Should Come
Celebrate National Poetry Month, support student writers, and discover how poetry can plant seeds of connection, community, and imagination. Young poets will have the opportunity to experience the power and joy of poetry in community — and learn to craft their creativity from a poetry pro!
About Donna Disch
Donna Disch is a 24-year Westport resident. With an MFA from Vermont College, she has participated in poetry workshops for more than 20 years. Her poems have been published in the Aspen Anthology, Poetry East and Charleston Magazine, among others. Also a former high school English teacher, Donna loves working with children and looks forward to taking more poetry into our schools.