In an intimate setting on Thursday, Bowman High School students took the podium one by one to read original poems during the 33rd annual Day of the Artist and Poet festival.
These weren’t poems written by professional authors, but rather the students’ own words exploring themes of relationships, hardships and navigating life in high school.
To celebrate the accomplishment from students in the creative writing and art programs on campus, district personnel, school site staff and teachers gathered to witness student courage as they took the stage to read poems written and published in the “Broken and Beautiful” anthology, containing over 90 original student-written pieces and artworks.
Bowman creative writing instructor Michael Mansfield has led the program over the past 18 years. During the ceremony, he randomly chose students to read their pieces, which some would be hesitant about, while others weren’t.
With every student who refused to go, Mansfield would offer some words of encouragement, which usually did the trick. Some students wrote about their complicated family relationships, while others wrote about their positive experience at Bowman, and how they found a place where they belonged.
For Mansfield, witnessing his students release their truths through words “gives students power,” he said. “The power of self-expression and how it heals.”
William S. Hart Union High School District Superintendent Michael Vierra applauded Mansfield for his work with the students and how he makes it a comfortable environment for students to feel safe enough to express themselves.
“I’m just so impressed with the whole process. [Students] have the courage to read them, that’s difficult when you’re with your peers, because they’re really kind of exposing themselves,” Vierra said. “It’s such a good creative outlet for our students.”
The annual Artist and Poet festival embraces the district’s core values of courage, community, caring and creativity by giving students a space to vulnerably share their creative writing with the broader community, Vierra said.
“A lot of them are really digging deep. I think it’s good for the students to not only go through the process themselves, but I think it’s good for everybody to understand everybody better and support each other,” he added.
Hart district governing board member Bob Jensen was also in attendance. As a poetry fan himself, being “here to watch them participate and share poetry and artwork as well is really special for me. They’re sharing their inner feelings. I think we can all benefit from that” he said.
Jensen credited Bowman staff and leadership for their success in student achievement. It was named a California Model Continuation High School by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction in March, a title awarded to the school several times.
For students to have a physically published book to keep “sets a foundation for them. They accomplished something that’s not easy to do, and they’ve shared it with others,” Jensen said. “We all need passion, and the poetry and artwork being showcased here today is a form of passion that I think is really important in our lives.”
The annual Day of the Artist and Poet festival continues to serve as more than a showcase of student talent. According to Bowman High Principal Nina Zamora, it reflects the school’s commitment to giving students a safe space to express themselves, build meaningful connections and recognize their potential, which is a reflection of the school’s “You Matter” motto.
