2026 Paul K. Bergan Poetry Festival Highlights and Slam Winners

Set inside the cozy, welcoming coffeehouse atmosphere of FoxHound Auditorium, the Poetry Festival opened on Thursday evening with a lively, entertaining Open Mic event emceed by juniors Sara T. and Zoey M. Performances included several student groups sharing their vocal and instrumental talents, with songs ranging from original works to pop classics. The English Department — Steve McCarty, Emma Cesar, Becca Paulish, and Patti Mora ’95, accompanied by Patrick O’Rouke on the drums — performed several rocking numbers throughout the night.

The much-anticipated Poetry Slam followed, where 17 brave students — Ava D. ’26, Lauren G. ’26, Raven L. ’26, Katarina S. ’26, Riley G. ’27, Youki T. ’27, Saoirse C-G. ’28, Chris R. ’28, Ryanna R. ’28, Arabella B. ’29, Lailani E. ’29, Lu F-S. ’29, Spot K. ’29, Taitum M. ’29, Dara O. ’29, and, performing together, Sam S.D.L. ’27 and Olivia M. ’27 — took the stage to share their original works.

After two rounds of audience voting, juniors Sam and Olivia were jointly declared the winners after delivering their compelling spoken word duet poems. Junior Youki T. and senior Lauren G. were named second and third, respectively. Well done to all our Slammers! 

View video of the Open Mic and Poetry Slam.

Friday began with students exploring and creating poetry, as each attended two of the 18 workshops offered between two morning sessions. The topics ranged from blackout poetry (starting with a book page and blacking out all but the words for your poem) and protest poetry (exploring the messages of various poems) to nature poetry (quietly study an object in nature for 10 minutes then write about it) and limericks, as well as spoken word workshops with our Visiting Poet Alexa Patrick, a vocalist and the author of Remedies for Disappearing. 

After lunch, Patrick shared a reading with the Foxcroft community, performing several poems exploring themes of identity, race, and high school experiences. Her reading of several poems about prom was particularly timely with junior/senior prom coming up! Following her reading and a robust Q&A, students were invited to share some of the pieces that they had created during the workshops. So many volunteered, and this was so well received, that all are hoping the opportunity arises again next year! 

The Festival concluded with a reading of William Ernest Henley’s "Invictus" by English teacher Patti Mora ’95. The poem, which emphasizes resilience and self-mastery, was a favorite of the Festival’s namesake, beloved former Foxcroft English teacher Paul K. Bergan. 

Many thanks to all who made the Poetry Festival a success: to the entire English Department for organizing this event; to the faculty and staff who led engaging workshops — Regan Antila, Debbie Balcomb, Alex Barrett, Larisa Bierman ’20, Jessica Canon, Emma Cesar, Julie Fisher, Rhea Hyatt, Patti Mora ’95, Alex Northrup, Laura Ogelman, Becca Paulisch, Elise Rovde ’25, Nance Sweet, Krissa Thorndike ’20, Kate Tomaskovic, Meghen Tuttle, Michelle Woodruff, and Stephanie Young ’00; to our guest poet Alexa Patrick; and most especially to each individual who performed, recited, and stepped up to share their voice with the community.