To: Board of Supervisors
From: Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Report Title: Resolution recognizing the extraordinary achievements in poetry and youth arts in Contra Costa County
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT Resolution recognizing the extraordinary achievements in poetry and youth arts in Contra Costa County
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
BACKGROUND:
None.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
None.
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
body
IN THE MATTER OF RECOGNIZING THE EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENTS IN POETRY AND YOUTH ARTS IN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County believes that the arts are a vital tool for self-expression, community healing, and the empowerment of our youth; and
WHEREAS, the Poetry Out Loud, Poetry Series Program, and Youth Arts Connection programs have reached new heights of excellence this year, fostered by the leadership of ARTSCCC (Arts Contra Costa County) and its dedicated team; and
WHEREAS, Robin Moore has been honored with the State of California Poetry Out Loud Hero Award, recognizing her tireless advocacy and her role as a champion for the transformative power of the spoken word; and
WHEREAS, the 2026 Contra Costa County Poetry Out Loud High School Champion, Serena Scheiner, achieved the distinguished honor of becoming a State Finalist in Sacramento, representing our county with exceptional poise and talent among the finest young orators in California; and
WHEREAS, we celebrate the impressive talent of our Contra Costa County Poetry Out Loud High School Second Place winner, Patrick Paul Porpayas, and Third Place winner, David Scott, whose dedication to the craft of poetry reflects the depth of artistic excellence found in our local schools; and;
WHEREAS, the Youth Arts Connection spoken word and poetry workshops in the District 3 and District 5 libraries led by artists José Cordón, Jeremy Phillips, Donté Clark, Tajanique Bell, and Monique McCoy that provide vital creative spaces for youth to develop their voices and connect with their communities; and
WHEREAS, the Poetry Series Program at the John A. Davis Juvenile Hall, led by Donté Clark and CieraJevae Gordon, serves as a beacon of hope and a critical component of our county’s diversion efforts, allowing justice-impacted youth to process their experiences through the dignity of creative writing;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: that the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors does hereby commend Poetry Out Loud Hero Award recipient Robin Moore; the 2026 Poetry Out Loud winners Serena Scheiner, Patrick Paul Porpayas, and David Scott; the Youth Arts Connection team of José Cordón, Jeremy Phillips, Donté Clark, Tajanique Bell, and Monique McCoy; and the Poetry Series Program leaders Donté Clark and CieraJevae Gordon, for their immense contributions to the cultural fabric of our county, and we urge all citizens to support the continued growth of arts programs that inspire and uplift our next generation of leaders.