Youth Poet Laureate

The Youth Poet Laureate serves as a “young people’s poet”, raising awareness of poetry, the literary arts and the positive impact literature and poetry can have on community life.

UPCOMING POETRY EVENTS

Jennavieve Strub (2026 - 2028)

An emerging voice in Nanaimo’s literary community, Jennavieve Strub was born and raised in Nanaimo. She is currently in her fourth year at Vancouver Island University (VIU), completing a Bachelor of Arts with a dual focus in Psychology and Creative Writing. Her interdisciplinary background informs her writing practice, which explores themes of identity, belonging, grief, empathy, and growth. Her work reflects the lived experiences of youth and young adults, and her poetry has been recognized through multiple local and regional awards and publications.

Jennavieve’s relationship with literature began later in life. During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, she discovered reading and writing as tools for reflection and connection - an experience that continues to shape her approach to poetry today. She has since become deeply engaged in Nanaimo’s literary community through her work with VIU’s Portal magazine, where she has served in multiple editorial and leadership roles, as well as through her participation in readings, competitions, and collaborative creative projects.

As Youth Poet Laureate, Jennavieve envisions poetry as a living, everyday practice embedded in community life. Her proposed initiatives include youth poetry clubs, accessible poetry nights in underage venues, intergenerational writing exchanges, and collaborative projects that blend poetry with visual art, performance, and popular culture. Through these initiatives, she aims to create welcoming spaces for youth who may not yet see themselves as writers, particularly those who have felt unheard or marginalized.

Paige Pierce (2024 - 2026)

Paige came to the role of Youth Poet Laureate with a demonstrated love of the literary arts, and proven experience sharing her passion for poetry and the written word. An author, pre-service teacher, and university student, Paige's work features discussions on love, growing up, death and grieving, body image, friendship, travel, and feminism. Paige’s goal in her role as Youth Poet Laureate role was to develop a community of aspiring and practicing poets to draft, refine, and share their work. Among her many accomplishments during her term was:

• Regular youth poetry reading events
• An annual Youth Poetry Contest and showcase in collaboration with Vancouver Island Regional Library
• Youth Poetry Summer Camp
• Participation in Luminous Paths 2025 with a glowing concrete poem
• Poetry readings at City of Nanaimo events such as Canada Day and the Culture Awards
• Poetry readings in collaboration with community cultural partners such as the Vancouver Island Symphony
• Inclusion of poetry in the the City of Nanaimo Annual Report 
• Regular media interviews (listen to Paige's interview with CHLY)
• An illuminated poetry project for Commercial Street (unveiling in 2026)

Valina Zanetti (2019-2021)

Valina was chosen for her ability to clearly articulate her goals as the Youth Poet Laureate. Many of her ideas had great aspects and spoke of the importance of partnerships and collaborations, and her love for animals really shone through. Valina had the ability to be inspirational to aspiring young poets and worked with them on creative initiatives. "Youth nowadays have a lot to say, so I am excited to help let these passionate young minds be heard" said Valina.

• During her term as Youth Poet Laureate in early 2019, she recited poetry at numerous events.
• At Nanaimo’s 2019 Canada Day Celebration at Maffeo Sutton Park, she read her poem "My Canada" which was based on memories of Canada Day with her dad when she was younger.
• In 2020, Valina led a youth poetry initiative called “Be Kind to All Kinds” to raise awareness of the BCSPCA.
• When asked to share her vision for Nanaimo's future as part of the REIMAGINE NANAIMO, she responded with a poem titled "The Change I Want to See." 
  

Kailey DeFehr (2017-2018)

Kailey DeFehr was named Nanaimo’s inaugural Youth Poet Laureate in 2017. Her goal was to extend her passion to other young poets within the community, to help them find or rediscover a voice that matters: their own.  Poetry has a tendency to be undervalued, and Ms. DeFehr believes that young poets may have a difficult time admitting in today’s world how much we love and appreciate this ancient form of communication. Kailey added a long list of accomplishments during her term, including:

• Interviews with Nanaimo News Bulletin and TheNav
• Poetry readings various City Council meetings, local performances and events, including: Canada’s 150^th Anniversary Party at VIRL, a Wordstorm event, the Poet Laureate Gala Celebration, Youth Advisory Council meeting, and a Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre event
• Hosted workshops and presentations at VIU, various high schools and the Youth Engagement Forum
• Launched the City's High School Poetry Contest
• Launched City's “Beyond These City Streets” Youth Poetry Video Anthology project

Questions?

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Related Links

• Poet Laureate
• Nanaimo Poetry Map