U.S. Poet Laureate (2001-2003) Billy Collins will be our guest for a night of recited poetry on October 4th. Opportunities to interact with Mr. Collins are available through a poetry contest and an informal Q&A session.

While the Thursday night Academy Event is the highlight of his visit, Billy Collins has agreed to make himself available to students on a number of other occasions.

English teacher Heather Liske, who is in charge of organizing the visit, has made a special effort to insure that as many students as possible can meet Billy Collins in an informal setting.

Mr. Collins will hold a poetry workshop with eight students. To be selected, students have been invited to submit an original poem and explanatory statement to Ms. Liske. This prized opportunity to have a poem reviewed by Mr. Collins will take place during faculty break on Thursday, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., followed by a luncheon with students.

In the early evening, faculty members will have an opportunity to dine with Mr. Collins in the Caswell Library before the Academy event.

At 7:00 PM, Stefani Kuo ’13 and Ben Turner ’13, co-editors of the literary magazine Albany Road, will introduce Billy Collins to the whole school assembled in the large auditorium. Mr. Collins will begin the academy event, and although there will definitely be poetry reading; the rest is a mystery.

Immediately following the event, Mr. Collins will be signing books and broadsides in the living room of Ephraim Williams. His books will be available there for purchase, including his latest publication, Horoscopes for the Dead.

As the final event on Friday morning, there will be a continental breakfast and informal Q&A session with Mr. Collins in the Hilson Gallery. This setting provides a much more informal ambiance, so students will be able to hear even more of Mr. Collins’ personality and wisdom. Students are encouraged to ask first period teachers if it is possible to take advantage of the special opportunity.