Students at St. Petersburg College recently celebrated National Poetry Month, held every April. The event is the largest literary celebration in the world involving schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers and poets.
On Tuesday, students, faculty and passersby at the Seminole Campus “Let Poetry Lead the Way” by reproducing poetic snippets – both their own and their favorites from others – in chalk on sidewalks in the Quad between the TL and UP buildings. Check out their Facebook gallery of the event.
On Wednesday, students at St. Petersburg/Gibbs held their second Open Mic Night at Retro Joe’s cafe in the campus library. Participants of all ages and inclinations read their work to each other with two hours of inspiring talent.
“Shout out to (instructor) Sheree Greer and her creative writing class and everyone else who read and spoke at our open mic tonight!” said Linda Reifler-Alessi, Reference and Instruction Librarian at Gibbs. “So much talent and emotion in one room. The work alternately gave me goose bumps and shivers and warm, heartfelt smiles.”
“So many different voices — humor, sadness, joy, mental illness, domestic abuse, love, politics, fatherhood, grandkids, little restless feet, retribution, electric kisses, coal mines, Dear John, and more! Such a great show of talent tonight!” Greer said.
Seminole, UP Lobby: April 21, 12 :30 p.m.
Fifth Annual Pizza and Poetry Open Mic: Students, faculty, and staff are welcome to step to the mic and share original or favorite poetry. Scheduled for the UP Lobby with special guest performance.
St. Petersburg/Gibbs, Library: April 21, 7:30 p.m. Poetry Open Mic
The public, students, faculty and staff are invited to bring their own poems, stories or spoken words to share. Props, musical instruments and costumes are encouraged.
Seminole, UP Lobby: April 30, 12:30 p.m.
National Poem in Your Pocket Day: Find Communications Instructor Sheree Greer in the UP lobby for tiny poems for your pocket. She will have extra poems available if you’d like to help me spread the poetic cheer.
My name is Erik Durneika, and I am a 16-year-old, dual-enrolled student who is currently pursuing an Associate of Arts Degree at St. Petersburg College along with my High School Diploma. In the Fall of 2015, I will attend University of South Florida’s Honors College, St. Petersburg, majoring in English with Writing Studies.
While at SPC this year, I was chosen to Coca-Cola’s 2015 All-USA Community College Academic Team as a Bronze Scholar as well as to the 2015 All-Florida Community College Academic Team based on my academic and leadership accomplishments. I was honored for my academic excellence by being on SPC’s President’s Honor List for three semesters as well as by being inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
Recently, I had the privilege to be one of the student editors for the Interdisciplinary Quarterly Newsletter – an SPC quarterly journal that focuses on interdisciplinary academic endeavors – as well as to contribute a “Spotlight” regarding my views, achievements and future goals. Additionally, this scholarly journal will feature my publication The Origins of American Literature: Early Colonialism, which comments on previous literary traditions of Colonial America using an in-depth and multidimensional mode of literary criticism.
I utilized my leadership skills and passion for expressing my knowledge about international studies by serving the SPC Seminole International Club as Vice-President and Secretary. After my undergraduate “journey,” I plan to attend law school in order to attain a J.D.; this aforementioned academic decision would essentially open up a vast array of potential career choices. I plan to use my composition skills along with my acquired knowledge in law to create legal texts and to contribute to law journals within the realm of academia in an effective and ethical way through legal writing.
In my spare time, I enjoy competitive ballroom dancing, a sport that keeps me physically active; watching travel shows/documentaries, which widen my understanding of the world; and reading novels of specifically a historical genre.
What does this award mean to you?
I am honored and proud to receive the Coca-Cola 2015 All-USA Community College Academic Team Bronze Scholar award. I feel that my hard work and time devoted to the long application process has paid off, as I am now featured alongside a tremendous amount of exceptional scholars!
This program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and is administered by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. My selection was based on the score that I earned in the All-USA Community College Academic Team competition, for which there were more than 1,700 applicants this year.
In order to progress to the All-USA award, I first needed to be selected to the 2015 All-Florida Community College Academic Team by the Florida College System. I feel delighted to have been recognized for my academic performance as well as for my leadership skills and efforts that I have contributed to both SPC and my community. In my eyes, it is essential to promote a strong connection to academics while, simultaneously, benefitting one’s community through small but “mighty” actions.
Another important component of these scholarship rewards is the valuable monetary compensation. The tuition of universities is quite costly, so students should be able to attain funds through scholarships in order to be able to complete their dreams of attending the higher education institution of their choice.
With this being said, I believe that this monetary award is going to provide me with essential leverage to ensure a top-notch education. I will be able to devote more time and energy to expanding my exploration of disciplines within my chosen major as well as forging new higher educational accomplishments – aspects that contribute to my future. The award would enable a smooth transition and help me steadily progress into my next academic chapter while fulfilling my sought after career opportunities.
Last but not least, I would like to thank Dr. Kevin Gordon, Downtown/Midtown Provost, for nominating me. Also, a big “Thank You” to my wonderful professors, including: Dr. Julia Rawa, Dr. Maria Escott, Prof. Eron Higgins, Dr. Kevin Stanley, and Dr. Wendy Mitchell-Mathews. Without their outstanding knowledge and inspiring dedication, this success would not be complete.
Students at St. Petersburg College recently celebrated National Poetry Month, held every April. The event is the largest literary celebration in the world involving schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers and poets.