In front of a large gathering at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.—with many more watching a livestream at St. Margaret’s—senior Kinsale Hueston formally accepted her appointment as one of five National Student Poets on Thursday, beginning a busy year of service as a literacy ambassador.

Her appointment on Thursday formally kicks off a year that will include service projects, workshops and public readings as the National Student Poet representing the Western region. She read two of her poems at the ceremony on Thursday and will share more poetry on Saturday at the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C., alongside the four other National Student Poets from across the U.S.

“They are prepared to enter this year of service fully committed to sharing their voices and their insight and their artistry to inspire audiences both in large cities and formal venues, and in small-town art centers,” said Virginia McEnerney, executive director of the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers.

Kinsale was accompanied in Washington D.C., by her parents, John and Mabelle Hueston, and St. Margaret’s English teacher Jamie Bunch. Back at St. Margaret’s, the Upper School arranged a celebratory viewing of the ceremony’s livestream in the Tartan Center. Students, faculty and staff attended, erupting in applause at the first sight of Kinsale on the broadcast.

Kinsale read two poems to the crowd on Thursday, “Where I Come From (1992)” and “Eden on Avocado Street.” She was introduced by actress and activist Alfre Woodard.

The National Student Poets were chosen out of 300 national gold and silver medalists in the Scholastic Art & Writing awards. Those medalists were narrowed down to 35 semifinalists by the National Student Poets Program jurors. The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services partnered with the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers to select the five winners.

You can view Kinsale’s readings and plaque presentation at the Library Congress by clicking here.