Gia Grillo returns to LHS for second poetry workshop of the year

March 6, 2018

By Marilyn Remo

Staff Writer

Class of 2004 graduate Gia Grillo returned to LHS on Feb. 14 to offer a workshop for students interested in poetry. Grillo delivered her first workshop of the year in November and returned last month because of the positive feedback her visit received.

At this workshop, Grillo offered tips to the for reading a poem with confidence and personality. She also led an activity in which the 11 students in attendance used dice with words written on them to gain inspiration. After students completed the writing activity, she encouraged them to utilize a word association chart to create a second poem.

Freshman Daniela Buendia said the workshop introduced her to creative approaches that she could apply to her own compositions.

“I learned a whole new method to find the right words to use in my poems…. I learned that poems can be silly, and you can make them into literally anything you want,” Buendia said. “Gia taught me that when I’m stumped, I should write about how I’m stumped.”

Buendia said her favorite part of the workshop was sharing what she had written and getting feedback on how to improve upon her poems. Buendia said she also enjoyed listening to Grillo read her own poems and well-known published poetry.

“I hope that one day I can be as confident as she is when sharing my work,” Buendia said.

Freshman Ghita Kdiry said she liked learning about poetry writing in a small, workshop setting.

“It is a wonderful way to jumpstart your creativity and sharpen one’s writing skills,” Kdiry said. “The workshop has made me a better poet because I learned to use my language effectively.”

Freshman Emily Gabriel agreed that she benefited from the workshop’s focus on figurative language.

“I’ve never really thought out of the box with my metaphors and meaning behind my writing,” Gabriel said.

Gabriel, who also attended Grillo’s workshop in the fall, said she would be happy to take part in a third workshop led by Grillo.

“I learn something new every time,” Gabriel said. “Attending this workshop always helps me improve my writing skills.”