Seniors grow through poetry

Female members of the senior class at Catholic Central High School in Troy will celebrate Women's History Month with their own voices.

"Hearing Our Voices" is an annual event at which graduating girls read original works to an audience made up of guests and community leaders. This year's event will be held on March 20 at 1:30 p.m.

"It gives them a chance to express feelings in a poetic mode," said Sister Mary Catherine Barron, chair of the school's English department. "It's a forum for speaking out on issues that are important to them."

This year, 27 seniors will share their work at the event, which is open to family members, business and professional leaders, and other invited guests. A collection of the poems will be preserved in the archives of the Sisters of St. Joseph and the Rensselaer County Historical Society.

"I think it really helps girls," said Andrea Saccucci, a member of the planning committee and a participant. "I think it helps you know that you can do this, and that will help in the long run."

Both the writing and the delivery are important growth opportunities, said Sarah Spain, also a member of the planning committee and participant. "High school for girls is the worst time," she noted. "Girls don't have a lot of confidence. Even if [public speaking] is forced, it's a good thing."

Heather Gordon agrees that preparing for the event has helped her to grow. "I never thought I could write a poem," she said. Now she has not only written one but also will share it publicly.

"Putting feelings into words so that others could understand was a challenge," said Andrea. "I'm nervous [about the reading]. I hope people aren't saying, `That's the worst poem I ever heard.'"

The participants believe that the experience of writing poetry and publicly reciting it will bring them closer together. "It's special," Heather said of the event. "You don't really know a person like you'd like to. Poetry is so personal. It's made me see that what you see in people isn't really what you get. There's more to people."

Sarah agreed, saying, "With the feedback we're going to get, this is going to enhance our relationships. It helps you open up."

Of hearing her classmates rehearse their poetry, Andrea said, "I cried my eyes out hearing them express their feelings."

(For more information on "Hearing Our Voices," call Catholic Central High School at 235-7100.)

(03-19-98) [[In-content Ad]]