Award-winning poet Natasha Trethewey to visit Clarke Central

Two of award-winning poet Natasha Trethewey’s books are posed with her website in Room 231 at Clarke Central High School. Trethewey, a 1989 University of Georgia graduate, will visit Clarke Central High School on April 21 as a guest of the iliad literary-art magazine in partnership with the University of Georgia's Willson Center for Humanities and Arts. “In order to continue to inspire the creative works of the CCHS community and, further, to provide ELA students with direct contact with a poet, I would like to host this year’s Delta Chair: Natasha Tretheway,” said iliad adviser David Ragsdale in the event proposal.

Award-winning poet Natasha Trethewey will visit CCHS to speak with students on April 21. 

On Thursday, April 21, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and former United States Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey will visit the Clarke Central High School Media Center to speak to students.

The iliad literary-art magazine will host the event in collaboration with the University of Georgia’s Willson Center for Humanities and Arts, which presents the Delta Visiting Chair for Global Understanding.

“The Delta Visiting Chair for Global Understanding, established by the Willson Center through the support of The Delta Air Lines Foundation, hosts outstanding global scholars, leading creative thinkers, artists, and intellectuals who engage with audiences on and off the UGA campus through lectures, seminars, discussions, and other community events,” reads the Willson Center website. 

After a welcome from iliad adviser David Ragsdale, iliad Co-Editor-In-Chief Luna Reichert and iliad Outreach Director Salai Diekumpuna will facilitate a moderated discussion with Trethewey based on questions from the student body, as well as questions of interest on the craft of writing. 

“I’m excited for Ms. Tretheway’s visit and I hope that she learns about Clarke Central and the brilliance of the students that attend,” Diekumpuna said. “I also think it’s important (for students) to hear what she has to say, especially since she is a University of Georgia alum.”  

The iliad and the Willson Center have most recently collaborated to host award-winning author Michael Ondaatje in October 2019 and members of the iliad facilitated a conversation between Ondaatje and CCHS students. CCHS students have also had the chance to learn from authors Colm Toibin in 2017 and Alice Walker in 2015. 

Author Michael Ondaatje speaks to CCHS students on October 5, 2o19. The iliad literary art magazine hosted this event in collaboration with the University of Georgia’s Willson Center for Humanities and Arts’ Delta Visiting Chair for Global Understanding. iliad Co-Editor-In-Chief Luna Reichert attended this event as a photographer. “It was really interesting to be a part of the visit and see the iliad leading that discussion and the students were very engaged and excited to be there with Ondaatje,” Reichert said. “With that being said, I’m very excited to be involved in the (moderated) discussion this time.”

“I am very excited to have the opportunity to host such an accomplished and respected writer at Clarke Central again,” iliad Co-Editor-In-Chief Luna Reichert said. “I am even more excited to have the opportunity to help facilitate the discussion, which will be a new experience for me. I hope that everyone truly enjoys this incredible opportunity.”

As part of Trethewey’s visit, copies of her work will be donated by the Willson Center for use in CCHS English Language Arts classes. 

“Part of my work as adviser of the publication is to offer enrichment opportunities not only for the iliad staff, but the CCHS community, as well,” Ragsdale said. “I hope students and teachers will benefit not only from the visit but the resources shared from the Willson Center.”