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Middle School
Middle School Celebrates Valentine's Day, Poetically Speaking
Feb 20, 2007, 11:47

There was love for all poets — amateur and professional — this Valentine’s Day as Latin's Middle School celebrated the school’s first ever Poetry Day on Wednesday, February 14th. Students were able to attend one 50-minute or two 20-minute workshops hosted by a variety of faculty, staff and outside contributors. Workshop topics included a range of choices from Explorations in Rhyme, Bob Dylan & Poetry, and The Poetry of Hip Hop, to Computers & Poetry, Limericks and Spontaneous Prose. Works from notable poets such as Langston Hughes, e.e. cummings, Billy Collins and Nikki Giovanni were featured in the discussions. The day ended with a competitive poetry slam featuring sixth, seventh and eighth grade students. The winner of the slam, Joe Bucciero, walked away with a crisp $10 bill and a Twinkie! All participants received POETRY magazine tote bags. Overall, it was a love-ly way to spend the day.

Latin would like to thank Brian Hennelly, Mary Jo Houck, Lori Kloehn, Amy Roberts and the Middle School English Department for hosting this event as well as all the participants for their time and inspiration. They included:

Poetry Slam Participants:
Sixth grade: Laura Barker, Kristen Garrett, Khatidja Karimi, Blair Marshall, Marjorie Muller, Rachel Stone
Seventh grade: Colette Brottman, Kate Chaviano, Charlotte Grotewold, Ben Manis
Eighth Grade: Joe Bucciero, Paul Hinkes, Ben Kersten, Sam Sullivan

Workshop Facilitators:
• Frankie Brown, Dean of Multicultural Affairs
• Tom Canright, MS Math
• Anil Chopra, US Science
• Danielle Chapman, consulting editor at POETRY magazine
• Robbie Deveney, Associate Director of the American Poetry & Literacy Project and published poet
• Courtney Federle, US English
• Don Firke, Head of School
• Mary Fons, poetry performer, poetry slam host
• Brian Hennelly, MS English
• Linda Hennelly, LS Director
• Billy Lombardo, US English
• Pam Mack, Cafeteria Staff
• David Marshall, MS/US English
• Amy Roberts, poet
• Jared Smith, poet
• Tim Stafford, poet
• Christine Tantoco, MS Science
• Marvin Tate, author, artist, performer and educator
• Liz Taylor, Books editor of the Chicago Tribune
• Jeff Walkington, VP of Academic Affairs


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