Literary Arts Reading

By: Cormic Evans

On September 26th, 2024, the Literary Arts Conservatory hosted its first reading of

the year. The reading was held in the cafeteria from 6 to 7 pm, free for everyone to come and

watch literary art students perform their pieces. Ms. Duboise introduced the

guest writer, Ciona Rouse, and as she stood on the cafeteria stage, she read

beautiful poems to start reading. Ciona Rouse came as a guest writer for the reading but

also appeared to teach the literary students of all grades more about literature. The emcee

was the senior Tsurah Waire, who gave a warm welcome to the upcoming readers.  

The first performer of the night was the sophomore Avery Weber. She read her piece

“Overture,” which is a romance story different from her usually dark and gloomy writing.

After Avery, the next performer was Thayer Parsley, who is new to NSA as she is a freshman.

She performed her poem “Hate” and was beyond thrilled to read at the reading. The 

next reader, Terry Cook, a senior at NSA, read his piece “Excommunication,” where he 

spoke about his experience with the catholic church. 

After Terry, the next performer was Kristen Watson a senior she read her poem “Early

Bird”, and with her experiences as a literary artist, she has built a need to share her

work. After her was Maxxine Gibbs, someone new to NSA this year as she has been trying to

get in since freshmen year, and this year, she is a senior. During the reading, she read her

poem called “Goodbye Charlie.” Next was the junior Marcus Robinson. He read a piece

called “And in The Windows Are Trees and in The Windows Are People.” The title was

inspired by a piece Cionna Rouse showed in his class. 

The one to perform next was Piper Clement, a sophomore this year, and she read her piece  “The Insufferable Song of the Full Moon”, which is about how the harvest moon kept her awake. Next up was Kai Shamin a sophomore at NSA, she read her poem titled “I Want A Better Word for Luck.” This piece was about her experience, with change and illness. The last reader of the reading was Abacus Buchanan, a senior who read a poem called “The Reaping of Autumn.” The poem is about how autumn is repetitive and so is wanting things.

Each of the performers did an amazing job performing in front an audience on the cafeteria stage. When some of the audience members were asked “What is one word to describe  the performance”, they said “great”, “wonderful”, “ten out of ten”, and even “I’ll be back.” Ms. Gilbert told me it was “inviting”, and I asked another audience member who said it was “enlightening and welcoming.” Each performer did so well and showed pride in their work. If you want to see the next open mic, it will be held on the day October 21st, which would be held in room #16.