Area high school students attend reading by CLC’s Verse Like Water program

Through a close partnership with Central Lakes College, two area high schools received an insider’s look into the world of poetry.

Students from Pine River-Backus and Nevus high schools set foot on CLC’s campus last Friday to attend the Verse Like Water event, which featured a poetry reading from current U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera. Earlier that day, Herrera stopped in Long Prairie for another poetry reading to a crowd of about 350 people.

After the reading at CLC’s Brainerd campus, the students from Pine River-Backus had a lesson in poetry from two CLC English instructors. They also heard about the college’s travel study opportunities, Honors Program and student life activities.

“The idea that high school students could have an audience with the national poet laureate is pretty remarkable,” said Paul Preimesberger, director of Secondary Relations at CLC. “That they can be exposed to his talent background and perspective is a real treasure. These kinds of partnerships with our area high schools allow for these kinds of opportunities.”

CLC’s Verse Like Water series is in its fourth year and has hosted 12 industry-changing poets. Stay tuned for the date of the next reading.