Hansell Poet Elizabeth Acevedo Dazzles Community

Parker’s 11th Annual Jeanne Harris Hansell Endowed Poet Elizabeth Acevedo spent last Thursday sharing her story, poetry and creative passions with the community.

Beginning at Morning Ex, Acevedo’s wit and humor were on full display. Students were drawn immediately to her story—from a kid wanting to rap, to having a teacher introduce her to reading and poetry, to the stage as a spoken word poet. Firsthand materials, including a newspaper clipping of her success as a spoken word poet and the first inspirational message she received from a teacher, helped guide the audience along her path to becoming a teacher. Acevedo then explained beginning her process as a writer and finding the courage to believe she could write a book. She read from some of her works, so the students could hear her passages firsthand. Whether it was her road to poetry and prose or her messages of encouragement, the audience truly enjoyed a special Morning Ex.

After the school day ended, Acevedo returned to the Heller Auditorium for a reading and conversation with her friend and Parker’s 9th Annual Jeanne Harris Hansell Endowed Poet, Julian Randall ’11. Acevedo read a number of sections from her works Clap When You Land, Family Lore and The Poet X, which she and Randall discussed. From the inspiration behind these works, personally or historically, to the “Easter eggs” or little known facts she included in her characters, Randall and Acevedo covered a wide range of topics. Finally, they answered questions from the audience, such as “How has music impacted your work?” and “What are your favorite and least favorite fonts?” All those in attendance left with a better understanding of Acevedo’s works and creative process before having the opportunity to meet her and Randall at the book signing.

When speaking to the power of Acevedo’s visit, English Department Co-Chair David Fuder shared, “And we need this moment, right? In a time when voices, ideas, and lives are being stifled and threatened like never before, when speech is being weaponized, repressed, and hijacked for political means, when books are being pulled from shelves and curricula are being challenged because they are seen as threats to critical and diverse thought, we need voices who, to paraphrase The Poet X , are crying in the wilderness. We need words that give people permission to be their fullest selves. And we need poems that are lanterns glowing in the dark.”

Parker is extremely grateful to Acevedo, for spending time with the community; Randall, for his help facilitating the reading and discussion; and the entire Hansell family, for their support.

Click here for photos of Acevedo’s visit.