Before she ever shared a poem with anyone, Josie Nabhan-Warren filled the pages of her diary. Josie turned to writing as an outlet to record thoughts and questions about the world around her. Over time, her writing evolved into poetry.
On Feb. 27, West High School junior Nabhan-Warren was named the 2026-27 Iowa Student Poet Ambassador. The selection process involved a panel of professional poets critiquing candidates’ work and an interview process. The interviews were conducted after students’ work was reviewed by the panel of poets.
Nabhan-Warren will represent young writers across the state as Iowa’s poet ambassador, with the role giving her a platform to share her work and advocate for poetry.
“I’ve always been writing in some way,” Nabhan-Warren said. “When I got to high school, I started really developing my writing.”
The program is still relatively new. Jan Warren, Iowa High School Poet Ambassador coordinator who facilitates the program, said the idea emerged in 2021 after poet Amanda Gorman captured national attention at former President Joe Biden’s inauguration.
“People realized poetry exists and that it can be a powerful and attractive medium for young people.” Warren said.
Nabhan-Warren is the sixth student ambassador to be selected, and the second ambassador selected from West High School. Daniel Somotochukwu Umemezie goes to Cedar Falls High School and is the current ambassador. He will be handing the title to Nabhan-Warren on April 24.
“They are from all over,” Warren said. “We’d love to get over to Ames or Waukee, but for right now we’ve only had six ambassadors.”
The program identifies talented high school poets through nominations from educators and other community members. Submissions are reviewed anonymously to ensure the selection focuses only on the writing.
After the poetry is evaluated, finalists participate in an interview with program leaders to determine who will serve as the next ambassador. The ambassador’s term will start in April, and students serve most of their senior year of high school.
As an ambassador, Nabhan-Warren will participate in poetry events to work with and connect to young writers from across Iowa. This summer, she will have the opportunity to interview authors whose books have been selected for the state’s summer reading program. The books included are “Strong Like You” by T.L. Simpson, and “The Trouble with Heroes” by Kate Messer.
In addition, she will travel to read her poetry at events in Iowa City, Perry, and Des Moines. For her, the title represents recognition and opportunity.
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“It means that I have so many more opportunities to keep progressing as a writer and a poet, and at the same time talk to other writers and poets and young people all over the state of Iowa,” she said.
For Nabhan-Warren, her poetry often begins with a problem or dilemma she is facing in life, using poetry as a way to solve it.
“If I ever have an experience that I’m trying to decipher in my mind, it really helps me to just write it down and use abstract metaphors,” Nabhan-Warren said. “I find I’m making something beautiful at the same time as understanding myself.”
Nabhan-Warren said she often uses people, objects, and ideas around her for writing inspiration. Using the world around her inspires her characters and settings in her writing.
“A lot of my poetry is dedicated to my friends and family, and my poetry is motivated by things like love and friendship,” she said.
Her literary influence ranges widely. She cited poet Mary Oliver as a favorite, and also draws inspiration from rap music, specifically the rapper Tupac.
Art and creativity have always been a part of Nabhan-Warren’s life, something she said has only been strengthened by growing up in Iowa City’s art community.
“I’ve always been coming downtown since I was a little kid, like going to performances, whether it’s theater or writers or singers,” Nabhan-Warren said.
University of Iowa first-year creative writing student Laura Waldron said creative writing is important to the community because it builds empathy, and reading different voices and experiences expands the way you think.
“It lets you step into someone else’s perspective, which is especially valuable in a world that can feel really divided,” Waldron said.
She said in a community like Iowa City, things like literary magazines give writers a place to share their stories and perspectives.
Waldron said creative writing was especially important to her high school experience. In a time of change for her, writing helped her process.
“It gave me a space to explore ideas and emotions I didn’t always know how to talk about directly,” Waldron said. “Creative writing has changed the way I pay attention to the world, making me notice small details, conversations, and moments that could become stories.”
Nabhan-Warren hopes poetry can help young people better understand themselves and each other.
“For young people especially, it’s hard to express yourself when you’re so afraid of what people think of you,” Nabhan-Warren said. “But I think poetry is just really honest.”