In conjunction with the celebration of poetry, prose and literary arts, a special poetry student workshop was held preceding the 2011 Evening of Poetry celebration at the White House hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama.
The poetry student workshop has been running for 17 years under the auspices of The San Francisco Arts Commission. Over 16,000 student poets have participated in the program through the years. This workshop won the National Arts & Humanities Youth Award for 2010. The workshop’s mission is to afford students the opportunity of receiving advice and feedback from established writers.
Writers Corps, an arm of the San Francisco Arts Commission was formulated in 1994 to instill a love for writing and as a place for young people to have their works heard. Their primary mission is to provide free workshops for young people ages 6 to 22. It is believed that giving youth a creative writing outlet will help to keep them off the streets and out of trouble. Workshops are held throughout the school year on various campuses in the San Francisco area. Four students from this year’s workshops were selected to journey to our nation’s capital to participate in the poetry student workshop at the White House.
This year’s workshop was opened with remarks by Michelle Obama who challenged students to write, write, write and never stop. She reminded students that poems are made of words artistically and meaningfully arranged to convey thoughts, feelings and various aspects of life in general. EMT Paramedic Training
At the workshop consisting of 73 specially invited student poets, Mrs. Obama encouraged students to follow their dreams and aspirations. She also told them that President Obama could be called Poet-in-Chief, since he wrote 2 poems for the literary magazine while in college.
A highlight of the workshop is the opportunity for students to interact with poets and authors. A 17 year old senior student from the International Studies Academy was privileged to have her poem critiqued by Poet Laureate Bill Collins. Along with being a guest performer during the Evening of Poetry, Kenneth Goldsmith acted as leader of the workshop.
Following the poetry student workshop, the Evening of Poetry was opened by President Obama who gave remarks of praise and encouragement to all participants. At the conclusion of Obama’s remarks, an 8th grade student from Henrico County, Virginia read an original poem for which she won the Silver Medal in a Scholastic writing competition.
The guest host for the Evening of Poetry was grammy award winner Elizabeth Alexander who once again shared the poem she wrote and presented during President Obama’s inauguration ceremony. Among other guests taking part on the program was former poet laureate, Rita Dove Musical artists appearing during the event were Jill Scott and Aimie Mann, who is a graduate of Virginia’s Henrico County school system.
Also occurring on May 11, 2011 will be the Writers Corp Word Storm Carnival held in celebration of a year of writing and other activities involving this year’s White House workshop participants as well as other students in the program. Many at Writers Corp feel that along with the honor of participation, being brought to the attention of the public via the White House event will not only send a message of encouragement to young people but will enhance the program’s future.