LWA juniors present poems at "papp's poetry cafe"

November 20, 2007

As bongos played, twenty-two LWA juniors took to the podium to present their poems at Papp’s Poetry Café in room SO1. Tables were covered in red and white gingham tablecloths, and the beatnik poets themselves sat back in black clothes and berets.

The students in Mrs. Papp’s 11th grade English class participated in the reading, each choosing two of their favorite poems of their own creation to present. The class had one and a half weeks to complete this assignment, and two different sections of this class participated.

“We were working on a poetry unit, and I decided that instead of a test, I’d let them flex their creative muscles and put those poetic devices into practice. That way, they can take ownership of the concepts and their own work,” Papp said. “They all felt like successful poets that day.”

Sakai Majkia chose to read his poem, “Purgatory Escape.” In response, his class let out the sound of bongos and *snap* *snap* *snap*.