Voices, Verses, and a Homecoming: ASB's Inaugural Poetry Night

In May 2026, ASB hosted its very first student Poetry Night, and it brought with it a special homecoming.

The evening was organized and hosted by 11th graders Lucia Gatto and Dahlia Beraznik, who brought together six high school students and one very welcome guest: alumna Julia Freer '25. Seven performers took the stage to share original work, leaving the room captivated by their creativity, honesty, and courage.

Julia had stopped by campus that day with her parents, Peter and Lauren Freer. Having just completed her freshman year at Haverford College in Pennsylvania, where she is considering majoring in English or Psychology, Julia joined the students for the night as a natural fit. She had recently returned from a European tour of Finland and the Baltic states with the Haverford and Bryn Mawr College Chamber Singers, and the experience found its way into her poem, "Where My Ancestors Stood." Click this link to watch it HERE.

"I had the most amazing time," Julia shared, "and as you will hear in my poem, my eyes were re-opened to the beauty that surrounds us every day, the beauty that we often take for granted."

Congratulations to Lucia, Dahlia, Wiyot, Elna, Eloise, Quincy, and Julia for sharing their voices, and a special thank you to writing coach Dr. Mary Ehrenworth and Theater Director Kaitlin Kemp for their mentorship and support throughout the process.

We hope this is the first of many Poetry Nights to come.