By Min Park
News Reporter
Students are gathered around closely in room 2204 as a student loudly and passionately recites their original piece of poetry. The dramatic presentation ends, met by a jubilant, enthusiastic round of applause from the audience.
This opportunity to relax and listen to original poems happens every Wednesday J Block in room 2204 during Poetry Club.
According to English teacher and Poetry Club advisor, Alexander Kaplan, this club is completely run on student devotion and is a safe place for students to share their writings.
Sophomore Elizabeth Szanton agrees with Kaplan and also says that it’s great because you can put your ideas into action, for everyone has the chance to participate.
“You know you’re going to be listened to,” Szanton said.
Liza Sockwell, co-founder of the Poetry Club, decided to create this club to combine her love for poetry and leadership.
“Originally, [senior] Dalia [Schneider] came to me with the idea,” Sockwell said. “I’ve always had an affinity for poetry and my mom has always read me poetry when I was little, so I took my love for poetry and turned it into a club.”
The other co-founder, Dalia Schneider first had the idea of starting poetry club after she attended a poetry club in Los Angeles.
“I was in ninth grade when I went to a teen trip across the country and from that moment I fell in love with slam poetry. I really wanted to introduce that here at South, so I did,” Schneider said.
Szanton believes that this club is a very relaxing way to end the day and enjoys listening to everyone’s pieces.
“It’s just great to end my Wednesday. Students will read an original piece or sometimes a favorite, but they are usually original pieces,” Szanton said.
Sockwell, Schneider, and Szanton’s favorite memories are all of the poetry slam events they hosted. A poetry slam is a place to share original work and can sometimes be in a competitive setting.
“It was a great experience because it was incredible to see how many people just came together and enjoyed poetry together,” Schneider said.
Sockwell believes that anyone who likes to read poetry should join not only because it is fun, but because everyone gets to share their ideas.
Kaplan describes the pressure of the club as very “low on the bar.”
“Sometimes it’s [poetry] from something they were writing for class, sometimes it’s just something that they jotted down while eating lunch and, sometimes it’s something that they’ve been working on for several days,” Kaplan said.
He says that poetry club does not have any service requirements for reading something out loud, original or not, but is more of a free space for people to share their writings.
“It’s a space that we reserve for people to share the stuff that they write,” Kaplan said.
He also hopes that Poetry Club will get more members next year and will host another slam.
According to Schneider, Poetry Club has a very warm and comfortable vibe where everyone feels safe to share.
“We’ll just kind of welcome you, don’t be afraid, don’t be shy. You don’t have to bring any poetry, but if you do that’s great,” Schneider said.
