At the event, the students were able to attend several poetry workshops while learning about different poetry methods and styles for future writing reference.

The keynote speaker of the event was well-known poet and author Tori Derricotte. Derricotte has written five books of poetry, the latest of which is titled The Undertaker’s Daughter.

Derricotte read several of her poems and offered words of encouragement to the crowd of high school poets.

“Even the mostterrible thing is beautiful when you write it,” she said. “There is truth and beauty.”

Derricotte surprised the audience with her interesting and unique poetic rhythm. Combining both her singing voiceand poetic ability, Derricote made National Poetry Day 2012 quite memorable.

“I thought it was great,” junior Nicole Heneveld said. “The speaker seemed really personable even though she has won so many awards.”

Both sophomore Ryan Schulte and senior Brittany Matthias won awards for their poetry. Matthias won for her poem “A Speck in the Grime,” while Schulte won for his poem “Does this poem have a power cable?” Excerpts from each of the award-winning poems were read aloud to the audience.

As Massapequa truly showed its inner poetic spirt, each student became a poet that day.