The month of April is recognized as National Poetry Month, but some South students believe South does not do enough to celebrate it.

Freshman Tessa Nesis shared her opinion about the school’s involvement in poetry month.

“Poetry month isn’t incorporated in the South curriculum the way it should be,” Nesis said. “There are many students and teachers at South who appreciate poetry, yet we don’t take the time to celebrate.”

English teacher Cheryl Hope expressed her desire to celebrate poetry month more as well.

“I blame myself because I could easily do something about it, and I often think maybe I will, but the month appears so quickly,” Hope said. “It’s a very busy time of year for teachers because AP [testing] and ACTs are coming up.”

Hope believes that the love for poetry begins with the songs and nursery rhymes that most cultures teach their children.

“That rhythm, rhyme and language in poetry attracts us from the very start,” Hope said.

Nesis found her interest in poetry this year in her honors English class at South.

“I wrote a Japanese haiku for extra credit in class, so I really enjoyed writing that,” Nesis said.  “When I turned it in my teacher looked up after reading it and told me that I found my calling, and at that moment I knew that I really enjoyed writing [poetry].”

Senior Allie Perry explained the effect poetry can have on a person.

“I think that writing [poetry] is a really positive thing for everyone to do because it allows you to think about things differently and have a new perspective,” Perry said. “You can be creative and write in a different character.”

Hope also reflected on the many benefits poetry has to offer, including looking at language from a new perspective and finding a unique way to express different emotions.

“Poetry is a wonderful outlet, it’s very much like singing, playing an instrument or painting,” Hope said.

Freshman Olivia Eigel reinforces Hope’s comparison, as she became involved in poetry through her music.

“I’m in a band called Purple Apple and I do a lot of the lyric writing, which I found is really closely related to poetry,” Eigel said. “They both have a melody behind it.”

Nesis explained that when writing poetry she makes new realizations, and writing helps open her mind to see from a different viewpoint.

“When I need to release some feelings or emotions it’s easy to write them out on paper,” Nesis said. “I feel calm and released and very expressive, and I don’t feel stressed out.”

Nesis explained her hopes for future poetry months at South, such as celebrating the unique day in every English class.

“If we had a daily poem or something for the month of April that would even be enough,” Nesis said.

Freshman Julia Packer, who also has an interest in poetry, explained how South could help her better prepare for her future.

“If South did something to recognize those kids with an interest in poetry, then I think it would help them be able to find the path that they want to go down in their future,” Packer said. “If schools did more about poetry month then I would have been able to realize my passion for it sooner.”