Equity Commission forwards Sonia's poet‑laureate nomination to city council

The Lacey Equity Commission on March 23 voted to recommend Sonia as the City of Lacey’s next poet laureate and will forward the nomination to the City Council for final approval.

Sonia, who read a poem for commissioners and outlined two proposed community projects—workshops on grief, healing and resilience and a “letters to my hometown” project—said she wanted to make poetry “accessible to all” and to partner with schools, libraries and community groups. "I use she/her pronouns, and I'm really excited to share with you today," Sonia told the panel during her presentation.

Commissioners and invited reviewers probed logistics, asking how the poet laureate would reach non‑English speakers, recruit young participants and manage the workload. Sonia said the budget figures in her application were estimates and that she was open to adjusting honoraria to follow city policy; she also told the panel that "AI was not consulted" in preparing her application materials when a reviewer asked whether an AI tool had produced the budget language.

Staff explained the policy framework that governs the appointment: applicants must be residents for at least one year, at least 18 years old and have a history of published or performed poetry. The commission served this evening as the policy’s designated advisory board because the city does not currently have a standing arts committee.

A motion to forward Sonia’s application to the City Council for appointment was moved, seconded and carried; the transcript records the motion as carried unanimously. Commissioners and staff said budget and workload items will be finalized with the appointee if the City Council confirms the recommendation.

Next steps: the commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the City Council, which has the final authority to appoint the poet laureate. Staff said they will work with the candidate to clarify a two‑year workplan and refine the stipend and honorarium schedule.