Students' art-inspired poetry showcased at Artistic Verses
Posted: March 9, 2026
Students read from their poetry submissions and place winners were recognized at the Artistic Verses Student Readings and Awards Ceremony on March 7 at the Mary M. Torggler Fine Arts Center at Christopher Newport University.
Newport News Vice Mayor Curtis Bethany III gave welcoming remarks at the event celebrating the collaborative partnership between Newport News Public Schools and CNU, which has been taking place for more than 30 years.
Each year, students from each high school have the opportunity to view an art exhibition and engage in a poetry writing workshop with local poet Nathan Richardson. Students wrote original poems inspired by the artwork and submitted them for judging by the NNPS Secondary English Team.
The event featured each student reading his or her poem, families and attendees getting the opportunity to view the artwork that inspired the poetry and the announcement of winners.
Artistic Verses 2026 Contest Winners
1st place
- "The Shylight Girl" by London McNair, Warwick High School
Artistic Inspiration: "Shylight" by Studio Drift
2nd place
- "Let Me Breathe" by Sumyah Tate, An Achievable Dream High School
Artistic Inspiration: "I Can't Breathe" by Delita Martin
3rd place
- "When the World Comes Soft" by Talasha Daniels, Woodside High School
Artistic Inspiration: "Winter" by Freddie Styles
4th place
- "Motherhood" by Naomi Wise, An Achievable Dream High School
Artistic Inspiration: "G.I. Bride" by Palmer Hayden
Honorable mentions
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"Quiet" by Lela Clayton, An Achievable Dream High School
Artistic Inspiration: Ed Brown, "Light and Shadow 2015 Charcoal" -
"Untitled" by Zy'Asia Steward, Heritage High School
Artistic Inspiration: "Zapala Estuary of Regret, 2017" -
"A Girl's Life" by Kaliyah Johnson, Warwick High School
Artistic Inspiration: "The Pink Room" by Arianna Creasman -
"Why the Sun Won't Come Out" by Wyse-Solomon Brown, Heritage High School
Artistic Inspiration: Ed Brown, "Light and Shadow 2015 Charcoal" -
"Between Hurt and Hope" by Madeline Dangler, Menchville High School
Artistic Inspiration: "Sun Babe" by Emma Amos -
'Under the Dark Canopy" by Hannah Holmes, Woodside High School
Artistic Inspiration: Ed Brown, "Light and Shadow 2015 Charcoal" -
"Hidden Beauty" by Helai Momand, Denbigh High School
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Artistic Inspiration: "Shylight" by Studio Drift
