This past September, CHS senior Michaela Coplen was appointed one of five National Student Poets. She was given the opportunity to meet First Lady Michelle Obama and is now the literary ambassador to the Northeast Region.

“I am available and happy to talk to anyone about poetry or to workshop poetry with [anyone],” said Coplen. “That’s my job!”

Last year, she submitted three poems to Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Out of over 10,000 other entries, hers was chosen as one of 40 semi-finalists, upon which she submitted three more poems and became a National Student Poet.

“I think it was well deserved,” said Coplen’s former English teacher, Sarah Clayville, of the honor. “Her poetry represents a real diversity of interests,” she continued, saying that this added “texture and dimension” to Coplen’s work and helped to “propel her through.”

Her father, Rick Coplen, was also excited for his daughter.

“I am exceptionally proud of Michaela’s lifetime of accomplishments, and I’m looking forward to seeing how this takes her in the future,” he said when asked how he felt about the achievement.

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are open once again, and any student can submit poetry to be considered for next year’s National Student Poet Program.

“I think that poetry has lessons to teach all of us,” Coplen said. “[It] is a mental challenge, whether you’re reading it, writing it, or hearing it.”

The award is the highest honor in the nation for young poets.

The above poem is just a snippet of Coplen’s poetry; click here to read the rest.