After three collaborative workshops spent writing and editing original work, twelve NHP students will have their poetry published in a chapbook. With help from English chairperson Mr. Otton and English teacher Ms. Sansotta, the students worked over multiple weeks to perfect their work for publication.
“Publishing isn’t necessary for a young poet, but it catalyzes a lot of really great things,” Mr. Otton said. “It signals to the young poet that what they have to say is valuable. It says to students that their voice matters, that their perspective matters and that their development as an artist matters.”
After an initial workshop with poet and Queens College professor Kimiko Hahn, the young poets had the opportunity to meet as a group two more times to improve upon their poems. The meetings were spent brainstorming, rewriting and critiquing. The poets were often given opportunities to share their work with partners, small groups or with all participants. Mr. Otton and Ms. Sansotta provided the students with general guidance and assistance.
“This is the height of what [English teachers] aspire to – working with a committed group of young poets who want to take time out of their schedules to write, conference, think and learn,” Mr. Otton said.
This was the first opportunity to be published for many of the students, which resulted in some initial doubts and fears from the young poets.
“The experience was very nerve wracking in the beginning since I knew my work would eventually be published. I felt nervous about creating work that would be read by a large group of people,” senior Sania Daniyal said.
The chapbook will consist of three sections: Exotic Things, Unsuitable Things and Elegant Things. Although the poems began as list poems, many chose to utilize different forms or free verse. The poets were given creative freedom when writing poems for each category, and many took the opportunity as a chance to address personal experiences and topics that they valued.
“I knew I wanted to make my poems personal, which is why I touched upon both my life and really focused in on the idea of girlhood. I had just turned eighteen when writing these poems, so the ending of my girlhood was really enforced,” senior Navpreet Singh said.
The poetry book will be available in the school library for all who are interested in reading the poets’ original work.
