Huntington High School Poetry Café Packs Library

Huntington High School’s National English Honor Society chapter held perhaps its largest poetry café ever earlier this week as about 150 students jammed into the library at 2:30 p.m. The organization has been organizing poetry cafés in the fall and spring for many years.

This year’s National English Honor Society chpater is led President Anne Tyrrell, Vice President Nicholas Plachta, co-Vice President Kathleen Cocoman, Treasurer Alexandra Balm, Secretary Ruby Hoffman and Public Relations Coordinator Cecilina Monge. English teachers Aimee Antorino and Helen Guarino serve as the faculty advisors.

While National English Honor Society members are required to participate in the poetry cafés, all students in the high school are welcome to attend. New Huntington High School Principal Rochelle Brown also participated and read a poem to students.

“As president of the National English Honor Society, the poetry cafe is my favorite event of the year,” Ms. Tyrell said. “This year, we had an exceptionally successful event and a very high number of members attended and read. It was also our first cafe under Ms. Brown and having her there to read for us was a delight. Personally, my favorite part is being able to hear original poetry, which some members proudly read. Our next cafe is in April and I hope it’ll be just as pleasant.”

Snacks and refreshments were served. Participants drew upon their creativity and ingenuity and practiced their public speaking skills. Students said it was a fun and rewarding experience. It also brought back to life many poems from yesteryear.