Rockford Sun

The City of Rockford, in collaboration with the Rockford Area Arts Council and the Rockford Public Library, has announced its new Poet Laureate and Youth Poet for 2024-2025. Lydia Kozlowski has been named as the Poet Laureate. She is recognized for her work as both a poet and marketer, drawing inspiration from her Polish heritage. Kozlowski's poetry often delves into themes of identity, language, and cultural connection. Her vision as Poet Laureate includes amplifying diverse voices within the community by curating poems from local women and incorporating multilingual works.

Kozlowski's writing has been published in The Finger Literary Magazine and Spoon River Poetry Review. Her poem "Black Out at the White Eagle" will appear in the upcoming Rockford Anthology. A graduate of Boylan High School, she holds a Bachelor's Degree in English from Lewis University.

Autumn Rose Smith has been appointed as the 2025 Youth Poet. A junior at Boylan Catholic High School, Smith has shown a passion for writing since childhood. Her first publication was achieved in fourth grade with Appelley Publishing's book Futures. At Boylan, she has received high commendations in the school's Annual Poetry Contest during her freshman and sophomore years.

Smith's achievements include seven publications through various competitions, with four poems featured in the Live Poets Society of New Jersey American High School Poets collections—a recognition given to only 2% of submissions.