Poetry Night is a chance for OLLA students to showcase their writing skills and share their passion for poetry with their peers. Annually, Lourdes has held this event for a specific group of students looking to advance in their writing and learn from fellow classmates.

“It is open to juniors and seniors, but also people who are going to be inducted into the English Honor Society and people in the Creative Writing Club,” said teacher Ms. Aura Vasquez.

Not only members of the English Honor Society, but also all upperclassmen are encouraged to attend the school’s Poetry Night.

“This time, we are going to do it here in the auditorium,” Mrs. Vasquez said. “It’s usually about an hour, and then afterwards people just hang around, talking to each other… usually, we’ve had 80 to 100 people who end up coming.”

Mrs. Vasquez said, “People will submit anything they want to read, it can be a poem they’ve written themselves… If not, they can choose a poem they really like. We just kind of talk about it and let them perform it.”

The school’s students who have attended Poetry Night are inspired by it and look forward to it every year.

“I love Poetry Night because not only do I always have an amazing time with my friends but I am also given a platform to express my thoughts while having fun embracing my creativity,” senior Amanda Nichole Rodriguez said.“Poetry Night reminds me that poetry isn’t an abandoned art form but rather a sprightly form of expression which inspires and brings people together. I cannot wait for the next Poetry Night and hearing what my friends will recite,” Rodriguez said.

“I love poetry night because it gives people the chance to express themselves through literature, and it’s also super fun! My favorite part is hearing people’s original works, Ssenior Massima Ponce said. “Poetry night is so special because it creates a space for people to feel comfortable showing their works with people who value poetry just as much as them.”

This night holds so much meaning to the upperclassmen and the National English Honor Society. All poetry and English lovers are excited for this year’s Poetry Night.