Over the course of the year, many exciting, interesting, and insightful assemblies are presented to HHS students. From speakers discussing drug addiction to mental health, programs at the school are always a treat to help enrich and entertain students.

On March 15, students in several different grades and classes were lucky enough to witness a special assembly. Noted poet and author Gregory Pardlo visited the school to talk to the next generation of artists and writers.

Pardlo, who is well-known as the winner of 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, first participated in a symposium with history teacher Robert Fenster. Over the course of the interview, Pardlo discussed numerous topics, ranging from his own work to the broader topic of racism in America.

“Mr. Layton’s and Mr. Puma’s students got to hear a Pulitzer Prize winning poet talk about writing both poetry and prose,” Fenster said. “Greg Pardlo’s work resonates with a lot of people, and it was fun to see my friend make so many of our students starstruck.”

After the symposium, students were able to raise their hands to ask Pardlo questions about his work and life. Senior Noor Amanullah took advantage of this opportunity, asking about the influence of one’s own experiences on writing.

“I liked hearing how his professions as both a writer and poet melded into two unique literary styles in his poetry and memoir,” Amanullah said.

This assembly had more purposes than just discussing poetry, though, as US History II students started an important project.

“The March 15 symposium had a lot of different purposes,” Fenster said. “Mr. Longo and my students kick started their capstone projects where they will be writing visual essays about recent events in American history that tie into the 14th Amendment.”

Clearly, the assembly had a major impact on many within the HHS community, and will be remembered by students and teachers alike for years to come.