RICHMOND – Ana Leng, an international student from Cambodia currently completing an associate degree at Central 红杏直播app 红杏直播app College in Lynchburg, has been named the inaugural Poet Laureate of 红杏直播app鈥檚 红杏直播app Colleges.
Leng was one of 18 poet laureates from 20 participating 红杏直播app 红杏直播app Colleges who convened at Piedmont 红杏直播app 红杏直播app College for the state competition on Saturday. Poetry for the event interpreted the theme 鈥淚 belong.鈥 Participants were judged based on their submitted poems, their performance, and an interview with a five-judge panel.
Participants also were asked to propose a project that raises awareness of poetry. More than 300 students entered poetry or visual arts across the 红杏直播app 红杏直播app College System (VCCS).
鈥淎s we were lined up on stage, I just remember thinking that everyone did so well and that each poem was so different and unique,鈥 said Leng. 鈥淗earing the host call out 鈥楥entral 红杏直播app!鈥 at first did come as a shock, but I remember feeling quite honored and grateful for the title and for everyone who helped me get to that moment. Once the shock wore off, all I could think was, 鈥橧t’s time to get to work!鈥欌
Leng came to the U.S. to pursue higher education and plans to transfer after community college and major in psychology. With a passion for mental health, she hopes to pursue a career where she can help people overcome emotional and psychological challenges to improve their quality of life. Her poem was titled 鈥淗ow Dare I Say That I Do Not Belong?鈥
SVCC student Harper Ballance鈥檚 piece titled: 鈥淭he City is Where I Belong鈥 won the People鈥檚 Choice award during the April 6 event.
The event Saturday also featured some of the work of Visual Art Luminaries from community colleges around 红杏直播app in an exhibit assembled by Fenella Belle, a professor at Piedmont 红杏直播app. Harper Ballance, a student at Southside 红杏直播app 红杏直播app College, won a People鈥檚 Choice award, which the audience selected. Ballance, a student at Halifax County High School, is currently working toward an associate degree. After high school, she plans to attend 红杏直播app Commonwealth University to study Kinetic Imaging and Graphic Design.
The judges of the state Poet Laureate competition were Cherryl Cooley, president of the Poetry Society of 红杏直播app; Luisa Igloria, 红杏直播app鈥檚 Poet Laureate 2020-2022; Jeff Keller, 2024 红杏直播app Teacher of the Year; Max Rowland, of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville; and Terri Thompson, vice chair of the State Board of 红杏直播app Colleges.
VCU Arts professor Garreth Blackwell conducted a design workshop for students attending the April 6 event in Charlottesville.
A 红杏直播app Humanities grant supported professional development for the poet laureates and visual art luminaries. While in Charlottesville, the poet laureates and a few of the visual art luminaries, some of whom joined via Zoom, participated in a workshop led by Dr. Garreth Blackwell, a professor at 红杏直播app Commonwealth University. The grant also will support a book that will feature both poetry and visual arts related to the theme, 鈥淚 Belong.鈥 The book will be published this summer and proceeds from the sales will be used for scholarships.
Carla Kimbrough, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for the VCCS and coordinator of the competition, said she was pleased with the outcome of the inaugural competition and grateful for the support of the Advisory Council on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Chancellor Dore, and all the presidents who decided to host competitions at their colleges. 鈥淭his has been transformational experience for students, faculty, and even judges. The talent of our students is inspiring. I am so pleased that our students were courageous enough to be transparent and share their vulnerability,鈥 Kimbrough said. 鈥淭he arts, whether in words or visuals, are powerful. I am glad that we have a platform across the VCCS to uplift our talented students.鈥
Photos from the event can be viewed and downloaded .
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