20 Poetry Finalists, Mayor Spano’s MLK Youth Meet & Poetry Showcase (Photo Courtesy: Nick Chiarella, City of Yonkers)
Poetry Exhibit Opens on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, Thursday, January 15th
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, inpartnership with Yonkers Arts, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on January 8th at Yonkers Arts (216 Lake Avenue) for the Youth Meet & Poetry Showcase: Honoring Dr. King’s Legacy Through Creative Expression. The gallery features original poetry from 20 Yonkers students, each piece reflecting the enduring themes championed by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — justice, courage, and unity. The exhibit is open to the public starting Thursday, January 15th.
“These young poets are not just honoring history—they’re shaping it,” said Mayor Spano. “Their words remind us that Dr. King’s dream is alive in the hearts of our youth. I’m incredibly proud of all the Yonkers students who submitted their poems and shared their voices with our community.”
Selected poems were written by Yonkers students in grades 6–12:
| Cassandra Morgan Montessori School 27 |
| Zoe Merritt Montessori School 27 |
| Alejandro Pena Charter School of Educational Excellence |
| Elisha Smalls Charter School of Educational Excellence |
| Aubrey Kyei Charter School of Educational Excellence |
| Moises Martinez Lincoln High School |
| Charis Agbenyo Lincoln High School |
| Amaya Vega Cupeles Barack Obama School of Social Justice |
| Savannah Rodriguez Vivar Martin Luther King Academy |
| Jastine Villanueva Yonkers Middle High School |
| Sanaa Nue Barron Roosevelt Early College Studies High School |
| Zaylin Rincon Roosevelt Early College Studies High School |
| Preston Taylor Roosevelt Early College Studies High School |
| Adonis Crosby William Boyce Thompson School |
| Zakariya Sultan PEARLS Hawthorne School |
| Jacqueline Oliva Charles E. Gorton High School |
| Jayla Wilcox Charles E. Gorton High School |
| Justina Tuffour Charles E. Gorton High School |
| Giselle Torres Eugenio Maria De Hostos Microsociety School |
| Erich Mital Sacred Heart High School |
The showcase fosters intergenerational connection, artistic expression, and civic pride, marking an important moment for youth empowerment in Yonkers and underscores the city’s commitment to nurturing creativity, leadership, and social impact among its young people.
The exhibit is open to the public starting Thursday, January 15, 2026, on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, and will remain on display at Yonkers Arts through Saturday, January 31, inviting visitors to experience the voices and visions of the next generation.
Yonkers Arts Gallery Hours:
- Wednesdays: 3PM – 6PM
- Thursdays: 3PM – 6PM
- Fridays: 3PM – 6PM
- Saturdays: 12PM – 4PM
Gallery hours on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 19th runfrom 12PM-4PM.
