Students read aloud miniature poems during lunch last Thursday in front of Palo Alto High School’s student center. According to Anna Van Valkenburg, a senior in Writer’s Craft, the poetry-reading event helps not only with their grades but also in bringing out different student voices. “I really like the idea of sharing poems,” Van Valkenburg said. “I also think it’s a nice opportunity to boost your grade in the class and also get on the stage and read something. Ms. Filppu puts a big focus on amplifying voices that are not usually heard.” (Photo courtesy of Brent Kline)

With students reading aloud their bite-sized poetry and cheering on their peers, the student center buzzed with life at the annual poetry-reading event last Thursday at Palo Alto High School.

Hosted by the Writer’s Craft students, the event attracted around 30 students to both recite poems and listen as audience. Students were given a slip of paper with a short poem to keep for themselves or share with the open mic. Writer’s Craft students leading the event also hosted a Books Inc. raffle, open to all participants.

According to Lucy Filppu, the school’s Writer’s Craft and Creative Writing teacher, the event allows students to share their poetry in the open. 

“It’s an annual event in Writer’s Craft, and it’s a chance for students to share their voices and the arts in a mellow way,” Filppu said. “We give out a Books Inc. gift certificate, we open up a mic, and we do [it] the way art is supposed to be—shared in a public space.” 

Students from other classes also came to support the event. Junior Dylan Chen, a student in Filppu’s AP Seminar class, came to cheer on his classmates and said the class-affiliated events are a great opportunity to display what these electives are all about. 

“We really lack more activities during lunchtime that are non-ASB-sponsored [Associated Student Body], like slime-making and Thanksgiving events,” Chen said. “It’s a good time to bring more class-specific events. For example, it showcases what some of our classes do, and when many students are making their course selection, maybe they now know that Writer’s Crafts writes poems and it can present a more clear view of certain classes.”

AP Art History teacher Sue La Fetra helped in leading the event and said a main reason for the start of this idea was based on how she loves carrying poetry with her and that the event creates a space for students to share their stories. 

“I just love having a poem in my pocket,” La Fetra said. “It literally makes my day to have it there and sit there. The poems come in little bites and you can take it and think about it all day long. I hope students realize the importance of telling their stories and how important it is to hear each other’s stories.”