Los Gatos High School Junior Sage Cobb is the current 2025 Santa Clara County Youth Poet Laureate. Los Gatos, May 20, 2025: As their term as the 2025 Santa Clara County Youth Poet Laureate draws to a close this June, Los Gatos High School Junior Sage Cobb reflects on a year filled with growth, creativity, and community impact. Sage was selected for the prestigious position last year and has used their platform to uplift youth voices and foster inclusive spaces for self-expression.
Their journey into poetry began at age nine with songwriting, but it was a Poetry Out Loud competition at Los Gatos HS during their freshman year that sparked their true passion for the art form. “After I did that, I fell in love with the art form and wanted to write my own,” they said. Since then, Sage has not only written original poetry but shared it publicly in both formal and informal settings—hosting open mics, leading workshops (including one for poets with disabilities), and reading at high-profile events like the Santa Clara County State of the County address for two consecutive years.
“That was one of the most exciting and unexpected parts of this role,” they said. “I got to meet government officials and learn more about how our county works, which I really enjoyed.” Their time at Los Gatos High School has played a central role in their development as a writer. They’ve been a consistent contributor to The Wildcat Review, the school’s literary magazine, and currently serves as an editor. They plan to return as a board member next year. For Sage, the role of Youth Poet Laureate was not just about performance—it was personal.
“I grew up as a disabled child with a weird voice. People made rude comments, and I grew to be ashamed. But through this program, nobody cared that I had cerebral palsy or that my voice was different,” they shared. “It gave me a space where my voice was celebrated. That opportunity meant everything.”
Though their official title may be ending, Sage says their poetry journey is far from over. They plan to continue writing, submitting their work, mentoring others, and staying involved in the Santa Clara County and Los Gatos poetry communities.
“You don’t need to do official stuff to be a poet. You just have to write. That’s the whole point.” They also offer heartfelt advice for young writers: “Write real stuff. Write about your life, your struggles, your accomplishments, your goals—whatever. Even if you think it’s bad, just keep writing. And share it. The world needs your voice. Art is powerful, and you have the ability to harness that power.”
As Sage’s term comes to a close, their reflections and ongoing commitment to poetry stand as a powerful reminder of what it means to lead with authenticity and creativity—and to use art as a vehicle for connection and change.
“Sage exemplifies the kind of leadership we hope to inspire in all our students—authentic, courageous, and grounded in service to others,” shared Acting Superintendent Heath Rocha.
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600+ Santa Clara County students earn State Seal of Civic Engagement
More than 650 students in Santa Clara County were awarded the California State Seal of Civic Engagement, a recognition established by the California Department of Education to honor students who demonstrated a strong understanding of civic responsibility and an ongoing commitment to positively impacting their communities. Students were recognized at the Civic Engagement Student Recognition Ceremony on May 19 at the Santa Clara County Office of Education.
“The State Seal of Civic Engagement is more than a recognition—it’s a call to action,” said County Superintendent of Schools Dr. David M. Toston, Sr. “We can’t wait to see how these young people shape the future in ways we haven’t even imagined.”
The State Seal of Civic Engagement engages youth as active partners in school and community changes; supports youth to develop ways to communicate effectively and to work together in more equitable ways; encourages youth to participate in civics education and support our democracy; and empowers youth to become strong collaborators for education change.
| School District | State Seals Awarded |
| Campbell Union High School District | 7 |
| East Side Union High School District | 172 |
| Los Gatos – Saratoga Union High School District | 4 |
| Palo Alto Unified School District | 462* |
| Santa Clara County Office of Education | 21 |
*Additional seals have grades pending.
Cameron Markett of Los Gatos received a bachelor of arts degree from College of the Holy Cross.
Kathleen Liza Gull Bergeron of Los Gatos received a bachelor of science degree from Harvey Mudd College on May 18, 2025 with a major in engineering, graduating with departmental honors in engineering. Gull Bergeron attended Georgiana Bruce Kirby Preparatory School.
Stanislaus State proudly recognizes Alissa Noke from Los Gatos for their outstanding academic achievements, earning them a place on the Fall 2024 Dean’s List in the College of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
Riya Gantla, of Los Gatos, graduated with a Bachelor Of Science In Public Health from The University of Texas at Austin in spring 2025, as well as a Bachelor of Arts.
The University of Texas at Austin proudly celebrates the accomplishments of more than 9,000 spring 2025 graduates—including Yu Chih Chen of Los Gatos with a Doctor of Philosophy.
*The story has been updated with correct pronouns for Sage Cobb
The pronoun of Sage Cobb is they/them. Could you correct them pronoun used in this article like what is used on the district press release?