2026 SESSION
ENROLLED
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 311
Commending the Virginia Youth Poet Laureate.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 12, 2026
Agreed to by the Senate, March 13, 2026
WHEREAS, Doran Glass III, a student at Hampden-Sydney College and a talented poet known for his commitment to community leadership and youth empowerment, was selected as the 2025 Virginia Youth Poet Laureate and the Norfolk Youth Poet Laureate; and
WHEREAS, from a young age, Doran Glass III embraced the power of storytelling and self-expression, writing his first poem in the third grade titled “A Father's Love,” beginning a journey that would grow into a powerful platform for youth voice and advocacy; and
WHEREAS, Doran Glass III has distinguished himself as a leader among his peers through his involvement with Teens With a Purpose, where he served as both a peer leader and senior peer leader, helping to plan and facilitate Creative Youth Development programs and workshops in public schools that encouraged young people to explore spoken word poetry as a means of self-expression and civic engagement; and
WHEREAS, Doran Glass III is the first male youth poet laureate in Virginia; he has planned and hosted “State of the Youth Voice,” a youth-led event bringing together young people from across Hampton Roads to share their lived experiences through spoken word, music, testimony, and presentations addressing critical issues such as mental health, gun violence, education, justice and equity, and environmental concerns; and
WHEREAS, through the event, Doran Glass III fostered collaboration between local youths, community leaders, and elected officials to create meaningful dialogue and develop action-oriented solutions to challenges facing the next generation; and