Charles Goodman Named Westwood’s Youth Poet Laureate for 2025–2026

By Beth Swinning

Westwood, MA — The Town of Westwood has announced the appointment of Charles Goodman as the 2025–2026 Youth Poet Laureate. The Westwood Select Board voted unanimously on June 9th to approve the recommendation of the town’s current Poet Laureate, Beth Swinning. Goodman’s one-year term officially began on June 1, 2025.

A rising senior at Westwood High School, Charles brings a deep passion for storytelling, poetry, and the arts to the role. An accomplished young writer, musician, and community leader, Charles has already made a mark with his creative endeavors.

“My name is Charles Goodman. I am a Junior at Westwood High School and have been writing for as long as I can remember,” he said. “During the pandemic, I leveraged my time to write my first novel, The Moon Has Eyes, which won a novel competition judged by Casey Sherman, David Wedge, and Hank Phillippi Ryan. Currently, I am the president of the Creative Writing Club and have taken on an active role in supporting creative writing in the high school community.”

In addition to his literary achievements, Charles is a talented musician and performer. He plays violin, guitar, piano, and is a longtime member of the Handel and Haydn Youth Choir in Boston. At Westwood High School, he sings with the a cappella group Passing Notes and regularly performs in school musicals. His passion for merging music and poetry will shape his goals in this new role.

“As Youth Poet Laureate, I would love to incorporate the worlds of poetry and music into one,” Charles shared. “I am inspired by great songwriters like the legendary Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. I would love to see the Westwood poetry community and musical community cooperate to bring their love of storytelling to Westwood as a whole.”

Outside of the arts, Charles is active in the Scouts and is completing his Eagle Scout project this June.

Beth Swinning, Westwood’s current Poet Laureate, praised Charles’s appointment. “Charles brings a remarkable blend of creativity, leadership, and heart to this position. His enthusiasm for connecting poetry to other forms of art, especially music, is both inspiring and full of potential for our community.”

Charles concluded, “I am truly honored to be this year's Youth Poet Laureate. It is an awesome chance to share my work and craft, and I feel privileged to take on the responsibility. I look forward to bringing creative opportunities to Westwood."

Thanks to Beth Swinning, Westwood Poet Laureate, for sharing this news with Westwood Minute.

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