‘Something to be proud of:’ Nebraska’s Youth Poet Laureate, Miranda Davis

Photo courtesy of Nebraska Writers Collective

Flipping through photo albums with Crayola markers in hand, Miranda Davis found her love for the written word at a young age. 

Davis is currently serving as Nebraska’s fourth Youth Poet Laureate, which is a title bestowed every year to a young poet committed to civic engagement, social justice and leadership. Davis is currently a freshman at the University of Iowa, where she studies English and creative writing.  

“It's really a big thing for me to be able to reclaim my story and find a way to not necessarily rephrase, but sort of rewrite what has happened in my life in a way that makes sense to me, in a way that I feel other people can relate to,” Davis said. 

Originally from Bellevue, Nebraska, Davis attended Norris High School in Firth, Nebraska. While there she competed on the speech team and slam poetry team. 

Norris’ slam poetry team was created during Davis’ senior year of high school, coached by Nebraska Writers Collective’s Sam Lee. The team’s main goal was to compete in the All Writes Reserved Youth Spoken Word Festival. 

Davis went beyond simply competing with her team, entering slam contests at Larksong Writers Place. Her ranks steadily became better and better, and soon she was winning competitions. 

“Seeing her after her first slam as her coach, I certainly was like, ‘this is a student that we as a community need to look out for and help in whatever way that we can,’” Lee said. 

Davis initially applied for Nebraska Youth Poet Laureate on a whim after learning about the competition through Lee, she said. She was awarded the title in April 2024. 

“I remember when I got the email that I was one of the five finalists, and I was like, ‘this isn't real. I don't believe this,’” Davis said. “To actually win is something that I never imagined could happen, because I know so many of the other poets who applied were so talented.” 

There are two sides to Davis’ role as Nebraska’s Youth Poet Laureate. She writes poems, but she also participates in civic engagement, as guided by her mentor Allie Christianson from Civic Nebraska. 

“Throughout being (Nebraska’s) Youth Poet Laureate, I've had lots of different goals and different ideas of what was going to happen, but overall, I'm proud and excited about the unexpected things that have come about and the different opportunities that I've gotten to have,” Davis said. “The different people I've met and the places I've gone and the speaking that I've gotten to do, that's been incredible.” 

One of Davis’ first projects as Nebraska’s Youth Poet Laureate was writing a commissioned poem for the Willa Cather Foundation’s ribbon-cutting ceremony at Willa Cather Childhood Home in June 2024. 

“To be surrounded by that history of such an incredible Nebraskan writer, and to be at this event where so many people don't know me yet and so many people are inspired by the words that I shared, it's a really great opportunity,” Davis said. “That experience was a stepping stone for the next few things that I got to do.” 

Throughout the first few months of 2025, Davis led poetry workshops at Pepe’s Bistro in Lincoln. The workshops are designed to support people going through violence or abuse, but gladly welcomes any who are interested.

“Everyone is going through something, and we want to welcome that community and give the opportunity for people to create something,” Davis said. “Creating is such a powerful way to express yourself and to be able to rewrite your story in a way that you are proud of, in a way that you feel strong.” 

During the workshops, Davis leads participants in meditations and writing exercises. For those that are comfortable, their work will be featured in an anthology. 

“At the most recent workshop, someone asked, ‘are we going to have these every month?’ Which made me realize, ‘Oh, if people are looking forward to this, Miranda is creating such a special thing,’” Christianson said. “It made me think about the possibilities for her to continue these workshops.”

Davis was also runner-up for the title of Midwest Youth Poet Laureate. She has one more year of eligibility if she wishes to compete again, but hasn’t decided if she will. 

As part of the Nebraska Youth Poet Laureate program, Davis will be publishing a chapbook under the Nebraska Writers Collective Press. The title of her collection is “Take Her Home,” edited and formatted with assistance from Lee. 

Outside of poetry, Davis spends time taking care of her many plants. She has also recently joined an adult dance class for individuals who are returning to the art. Davis danced through most of her childhood. 

Davis’ time as Nebraska Youth Poet Laureate is coming to an end. She will host another workshop at Pepe’s Bistro on March 15. Then, Davis will be passing on her title on April 5 at the SAC Aerospace Museum, where she will read a poem of transition and welcoming.  

“Through writing poetry, I'm able to find a better sense of myself and really have something to be proud of,” Davis said. 

Published in the Daily Nebraskan, read here.