(June 17, 2003) — Self-expression is very important by the time students are seniors. Whether it is goofing off in class, playing the guitar or writing a few lines of poetry, students have grown into individuals in their own unique way. One way some seniors expressed themselves was through Poetry Club. Students in Poetry Club gathered every other Tuesday during tutorial to discuss a number of issues. At these meetings, advisor Maral Guarino or president Narine Panosian would inform members about poetry contests and other events outside of school that they may be interested in. Guarino would sometimes have writing exercises for students to improve students’ skills. Club members brought in poems to analyze and discuss. Towards the end of the year, the Poetry Club also planned, practiced and participated in two annual Poetry Nights at Clark. The Poetry Night this year was very successful in its turnout and the poetry. Patrick Blong said the attendance was “more than expected.” There were about thirty poets who read their poems and performed in front of a full house. Blong said that “they tried hard” to impress while having a good time.” “Everyone did a good job,” Blong added. Narine Panosian, president of Poetry Club for four straight years, has obviously had a head role in the club, and “established Poetry Club.” Poetry, aside from being a form of self-expression, is for Panosian an escape from stress. But Poetry Club was not just a way to get out of stress, as senior Hasmig Ekmekdjian explained, “it has allowed me to see other literature and [have] a new perspective in many aspects of life.” Ekmekdjian has been writing poetry for a few years, beginning when she helped Panosian and others establish Poetry Club, and said that Poetry Club helped her “[meet] a lot of new people and was able to express myself in a new and exciting way. However, Poetry Club hasn’t been just a social gathering. According to Simon Terharutyunian, “it has allowed me to improve and grow in a more controlled atmosphere with others to collaborate and work with.” Poetry Club helped Terharutyunian express himself “in a moer poetic manner” and gave him a new form of “emotional outlet” by sharing his “thoughts with others.” Hasmig Ekmekdjian, Helen Manvelian, Sara Sousani, Megerdich Ishkhanian, Narine Panosian, Yeva Mavyan and Kristin Tiffany founded Poetry Club. They first approached advisor Kristina Provost about creating the club, so she replied by telling them that they need an advisor. They then asked teacher Jennifer Diaz, who was advisor of Drama Club at the time, so it didn’t work out. Ms. Guarino accepted, and in about a month, they had a constitution and a proposal. Only five of the original seven stuck through all four years in Poetry Club – Ekmekdjian, Manvelian, Sousani, Ishkhanian, and Panosian – although some seniors joined the picture later. But this club was not the only event these seniors attended. For instance, in 2000, Clark’s Poetry Club hosted the District Poetry Night Contest at Clark where all of GUSD schools competed. Gina Varsh was a first place winner. The club also attended a Poetry Contest in San Gabriel Valley in the same year, hosted by Don Campbell. Two groups of three participated in this competition. In the spring of 2001, they attended a reading at Borders, and another reading in La Crescenta in January this year.