Waldorf High School students joined students from across Long Island for Adelphi University’s Annual Poetry Day conference on April 30th. The event, which was held virtually, included poetry contests and open mic poetry slams. It was highlighted by a keynote presentation by poet Cynthia Dewi Oka. The day culminated in an awards ceremony where 9th Grader, Hope Finazzo received a citation for her poem, “In Reality.”

Waldorf’s high school English teacher and Creative Writing Club advisor, Alexios Kritas explains, “Hope expressed interest in Adelphi’s Poetry Day when I presented the opportunity to the 9th grade. She entered several poems in Adelphi’s high school contest and won a citation of excellence award for her poem “In Reality.” She and the other Waldorf students, Aline Alberts, Ariah Jones, Ellen Bucalo, Stephanie Marshall, Faith Oaks, Celeste Parks, and Jadyn Mardy spent the morning taking virtual creative writing classes with Adelphi professors and Balinese-American poet Cynthia Dewi Oka, author of Nomad of Salt, Hard Water, and Salvage and Pushcart Prize nominee. Oka, who teaches creative writing at Bryn Mawr College, was Adelphi Poetry Day’s keynote speaker. Oka went on to share her own poems with the students and explained her process as an artist. Thank you, Adelphi, for hosting a wonderful event.”

Congratulations to Hope and all of the participants! We are very proud of your accomplishments.