The Coffee Nook had never seen so much action on a Tuesday night as earlier this week when high school students descended for the first-ever poetry night. The idea was English teacher Lauren Rodriguez’s, and she and senior English teacher Melonie Menefee put the event together. They weren’t sure what to expect, but the event was packed.
“I think it was a very beneficial opportunity for students to come out of their comfort zone,” Rodriguez said. “It was also a way for students to express themselves, and their feelings and be vulnerable all through poetry.”
Not only was open mic night a great opportunity for students to express themselves and come out of their comfort zone but, it was also a way for some UIL competitors to practice their pieces and perform in front of a crowd. Junior Andie Kilgore performed her prose piece called “Choosing Hope.”
“I was very nervous going up there and performing in front of everyone, but it was a good way to get some practice in,” Kilgore said. “I was just glad to see everyone there and them having a great time.”
The shop was packed, with the line for coffee and treats reaching the door for most of the night and with standing room only for listeners.
“I looked up about the time we started, and I’m not sure we could have fit many more people into the building,” Menefee said. “It was so exciting to see so many students and parents there and enjoying the evening.”
Some teachers also came by and listened to students perform their pieces. Biology teacher Kasey Wendel read a poem from a children’s book called, “I Like Myself” by Karen Beaumont. She said she reads the book to her daughter and likes it because it’s all about embracing yourself for who you are despite those who may try to make you feel like a “cuckoo bird”.
“I’m so glad that the poetry night turned out so well. It’s always great to see students enjoying being together and even enjoying something as academic as reading poetry,” Wendel said. “I think it just goes to show that learning can — and should — be fun.”
