The Fall 2023 Poetry Showcase
Above: POETRY IS MUSIC: Senior Emmanuel Thompson performs his original song “Space Girl” during the Fall 2023 Poetry Showcase on Dec. 11. Throughout the event students performed different kinds of poems and Thompson’s song was another form of poetry. “I think that poetry is a lot like music (because) it can be interpreted (differently) based on the way that you read it,” Clarke Central High School fine arts department teacher Leslie Sokal-Berg said. “Lyrics can be considered poetry (and) I think (both) are just different expressions of human emotion.” Photo by Daniel Cruz
Clarke Central High School's current and former poetry students performed a variety of poetry in the CCHS Media Center on Dec. 11.
Clarke Central High School’s contemporary literature-poetry class, led by English department teacher Grace Crumpton, celebrated their semester's work through a Poetry Showcase in the CCHS Media Center on Dec. 11 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The event, which had previously been scheduled at Hendershots, was shifted to the CCHS Media Center. The program was the third presentation of student work by Crumpton’s students since starting the class last fall.
“For many student performers, the showcase is the first time their words have ever been shared with a crowd,” Crumpton said. “I hope that (the showcase) gives them the confidence to see their ideas as important.”
The audience consisted of CCHS parents, faculty and students, who created a support atmosphere according to CCHS parent Kristen Morales.
“Hearing the audience participation (and) seeing how into (the poetry) everybody was, was a great thing to see,” Morales said. “I think (poetry) is something that everybody should have knowledge of and (be able) to try writing.”
For CCHS junior Bella Yelton, who performed “Strength and Courage” by CCHS senior Jessie Hicks, having a supportive audience was key.
“I was a little nervous (seeing) everyone here but it was (also) cool (to see) my friends, classmates and parents in (the audience),” Yelton said.
According to CCHS Guitar and Peer Leadership teacher Leslie Sokal-Berg, the Poetry Showcase presents a unique opportunity for students to share their thoughts with others.
“I love that we have this event, I think it’s a beautiful way of showing what everybody has learned in the classroom,” Sokal-Berg said. “I think (giving) students the opportunity to read (poetry) aloud is (an) expression of their interpretation.”
Above: CELEBRATE SUCCESS: Clarke Central High School audience members watch as contemporary literature-poetry students perform their pieces at the Fall 2023 Poetry Showcase on Dec. 11. This is Crumpton’s second year teaching the contemporary literature-poetry class and she looks forward to the showcase as a chance to celebrate CCHS students. “We have so many students who see the world with empathy and wisdom, and my hope is that they continue sharing their voice in any capacity,” Crumpton said. Photo by Daniel Cruz
Closing out the semester and its performance finale, Crumpton says she will continue to build a creative space for students to express themselves.
“I pitched the idea for this course because I wanted an outlet for students to merge their talent with words and their need to process the world around them,” Crumpton said. “I have had several colleagues and parents tell me that seeing the students perform made them excited again about teaching or reminded them of the excellence we see daily at Clarke Central. I hope the program continues to be a source of hope and encouragement for our school.”
Story by Niles Flath
Niles Flath is a sophomore at Clarke Central High School in Athens Georgia. She serves as Outreach Director for the iliad Literary-Art Magazine. Flath hopes to make connections with creators both inside and outside the CCHS walls and showcase their work through the iliad program. In her free time, she likes playing tennis, swimming, and hanging out with friends.