{"id":86193,"date":"2025-04-17T08:55:26","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T13:55:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=86193"},"modified":"2025-04-17T08:55:27","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T13:55:27","slug":"poet-tree-highlights-events-celebrating-national-poetry-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=86193","title":{"rendered":"Poet-tree highlights events celebrating National Poetry Month"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>By RORY MOORE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Tiger Media Network<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fort Hays State University\u2019s Writing Center, Forsyth Library and the Hays Public Library hosted three events to expand students\u2019 poetry writing skills last week, beginning with a Pop Up and Open Mic on Wednesday, and concluding with the 25th annual Poetry Contest on Friday. The week revolved around a \u2018poet-tree&#8217;, for which students were encouraged to write poems on leaves placed on the tree for National Poetry Month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Writing Center\u2019s role in these events was to help students enjoy partaking in the literature and prove that it is not outdated in a technological era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI want to see smiling faces and interaction with poetry,\u201d Writing Center employee Olivia McGillivray said. \u201c[I\u2019d like to see] less villainization of poetry. It\u2019s all about building community and being part of the library. With our library under construction, supporting HPL and encouraging people to come out is always a good thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"642\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-86204\" data-id=\"86204\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Poet-tree-pop-up-4-of-5.jpg?resize=790%2C642\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Poet-tree-pop-up-4-of-5.jpg?w=966 966w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Poet-tree-pop-up-4-of-5.jpg?resize=320%2C260 320w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Poet-tree-pop-up-4-of-5.jpg?resize=150%2C122 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Poet-tree-pop-up-4-of-5.jpg?resize=768%2C624 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">The poet-tree hangs on the wall of Memorial Union where students&#8217; writing is displayed. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"936\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-86201\" data-id=\"86201\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-of-5-1-1.jpg?resize=790%2C936\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-of-5-1-1-scaled.jpg?resize=864%2C1024 864w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-of-5-1-1-scaled.jpg?resize=219%2C260 219w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-of-5-1-1-scaled.jpg?resize=127%2C150 127w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-of-5-1-1-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C910 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-of-5-1-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1296%2C1536 1296w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-of-5-1-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1728%2C2048 1728w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-of-5-1-1-scaled.jpg?w=1580 1580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Hailey Maldonado writes a poem about missing her &#8220;Levy while driving her Chevy.&#8221;<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"571\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-86198\" data-id=\"86198\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/5-of-5-1-1.jpg?resize=571%2C1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/5-of-5-1-1-scaled.jpg?resize=571%2C1024 571w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/5-of-5-1-1-scaled.jpg?resize=145%2C260 145w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/5-of-5-1-1-scaled.jpg?resize=84%2C150 84w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/5-of-5-1-1-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1378 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/5-of-5-1-1-scaled.jpg?resize=856%2C1536 856w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/5-of-5-1-1-scaled.jpg?resize=1142%2C2048 1142w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/5-of-5-1-1-scaled.jpg?w=1427 1427w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 571px) 100vw, 571px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Anna Towns tapes a poem to the poet-tree.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"552\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-86206\" data-id=\"86206\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Poet-tree-pop-up-3-of-5.jpg?resize=790%2C552\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Poet-tree-pop-up-3-of-5.jpg?resize=1024%2C716 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Poet-tree-pop-up-3-of-5.jpg?resize=370%2C260 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Poet-tree-pop-up-3-of-5.jpg?resize=150%2C105 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Poet-tree-pop-up-3-of-5.jpg?resize=768%2C537 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Poet-tree-pop-up-3-of-5.jpg?w=1116 1116w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">The Forsyth Library and Hays Public Library introduce students to poetry through the poet-tree Pop Up.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"527\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-86205\" data-id=\"86205\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Poet-tree-pop-up-1-of-5.jpg?resize=790%2C527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Poet-tree-pop-up-1-of-5.jpg?resize=1024%2C683 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Poet-tree-pop-up-1-of-5.jpg?resize=370%2C247 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Poet-tree-pop-up-1-of-5.jpg?resize=150%2C100 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Poet-tree-pop-up-1-of-5.jpg?resize=768%2C512 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Poet-tree-pop-up-1-of-5.jpg?w=1177 1177w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Students&#8217; poems are placed into a pile for the poet-tree.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>At the Pop Up in Memorial Union, students wrote poems based on their lives, feelings, or other poems for fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI wrote my poem about love,\u201d Junior Kaley Rajewski said. \u201cIt\u2019s about finding that one person in your life who you can tell anything to and being a second option. I love poetry. I\u2019ve been sharing my poetry for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some students\u2019 poems were serious, while others were humorous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI wrote something really dumb,\u201d Freshman Hailey Maldonado said. \u201cIt was the first thing that came to mind. I said, \u2018I missed my levy, so now I need to drive my Chevy.\u2019 I just like rhyming things. It\u2019s dumb, but it\u2019s silly and fun, and I hope it makes someone giggle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Open Mic took place inside the HPL Community Commons, where an opening reception was hosted to introduce people to the poet-tree, and students and faculty recited poems with a small audience in an intimate setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPoetry has always had a special spot for me,\u201d HPL Services Librarian Jessica Shields said. \u201cGetting people to join in is always great because it\u2019s one of those underrated forms of art. So. I\u2019m very excited for us to have another event with poetry as the feature.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"298\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-86197\" data-id=\"86197\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/4-of-4-2.jpg?resize=790%2C298\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/4-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C386 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/4-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?resize=370%2C139 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/4-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C57 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/4-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C290 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/4-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C579 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/4-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C772 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/4-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?w=2370 2370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Original and historic poems were read inside the HPL Community Commons. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"734\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-86196\" data-id=\"86196\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/3-of-4-2.jpg?resize=790%2C734\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/3-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C952 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/3-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?resize=280%2C260 280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/3-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C139 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/3-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C714 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/3-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1428 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/3-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1904 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/3-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?w=2370 2370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">David Goodlett read several poems for the Open Mic. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"552\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-86195\" data-id=\"86195\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-of-4-2.jpg?resize=790%2C552\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C715 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?resize=370%2C258 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C105 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C536 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1073 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1431 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?w=2370 2370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Elio Dixon Philips reads The Cremation of Sam McGee by Robert W. Service. &#8220;There are strange things done in the midnight sun by men who moil for gold,&#8221; she recited. &#8220;The Arctic trails have their secret tales that would make your blood run cold. The Northern Lights have seen queer sites, but the queerest they ever did see was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge. I cremated Sam McGee.&#8221;<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"648\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-86194\" data-id=\"86194\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-of-4-2.jpg?resize=790%2C648\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C840 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?resize=317%2C260 317w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C123 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C630 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1259 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1679 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-of-4-2-scaled.jpg?w=2370 2370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Anna Towns begins the Poet-Tree Open Mic with Jessica Shields. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Shields is optimistic about these events enabling students to widen their horizons in literature, especially with an older form of writing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt brings awareness to the fact that poetry is not dead; it\u2019s still alive, and people are still doing it,\u201d she said. \u201cIt also makes people think about how easy it is. One of the things we did with the students was, if they\u2019re like, \u2018Oh, I don\u2019t know poetry.\u2019 We\u2019d be like, \u2018Okay! What\u2019s your favorite song lyric?\u2019 That\u2019s poetry. So, getting that connection and letting people realize how often poetry actually does impact your life [is the whole point].\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The week concluded with the Poetry Contest inside the HPL, where FHSU Poet Laureate Eileen Veatch won first place for her \u2018Mirrors\u2019 poem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMy poem refers to the way my mom complains about her arms, legs, stomach and the way she arranges herself in pictures,\u201d she said. \u201cIt is a reminder to mothers that your daughters are always listening and picking up your habits, even the harmful ones. It is easy to learn to critique yourself when the most beautiful woman you know is doing the same thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a poet and author, Veatch is confident that poetry is not becoming an antiquity and remains popular through modern media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI see poetry everywhere,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m constantly finding magazines open to submissions, new poetry books being published, etc. When someone discovers their favorite hobby is \u2018dead,\u2019 it means they&#8217;re not in the right environment. Luckily, HPL does a wonderful job creating a community of unique hobbies like poetry, and events like the contest keep interest alive in people of all ages.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She believes poetry will live on through aspiring poets who pass the genre on to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cPoetry is still taught in schools because it\u2019s an important genre of literature,\u201d Veatch said. \u201cThat doesn\u2019t mean everyone will enjoy it. But maybe one person will, and if poetry is truly their passion, they will promote it in their own ways, big or small.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"328\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-86210\" data-id=\"86210\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-of-4-3.jpg?resize=790%2C328\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C425 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?resize=370%2C154 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C62 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C319 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C638 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C851 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?w=2370 2370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">The 25th annual Poetry Contest saw participants read their poems to a group of four judges.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"635\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-86209\" data-id=\"86209\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-of-4-3.jpg?resize=790%2C635\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C823 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?resize=324%2C260 324w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C121 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C617 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1234 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1646 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?w=2370 2370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Wayne C. Lang reads his poem &#8216;A Cowboy&#8217;s Dream&#8221; about having a dream of being a cowboy who is intercepted by Indians waking up to find a bullet hole in his mattress.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"374\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-86208\" data-id=\"86208\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/3-of-4-3.jpg?resize=790%2C374\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/3-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C485 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/3-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?resize=370%2C175 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/3-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C71 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/3-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C363 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/3-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C727 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/3-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C969 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/3-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?w=2370 2370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Anna Towns reads her poem to Dawne Leiker, David Goodlett, Lisa Bell and Jessica Shields <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"535\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-86207\" data-id=\"86207\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/4-of-4-3.jpg?resize=790%2C535\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/4-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C693 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/4-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?resize=370%2C250 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/4-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C102 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/4-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C520 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/4-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1040 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/4-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1386 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/4-of-4-3-scaled.jpg?w=2370 2370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Eileen Veatch and Kaley Rajewski receive their prizes for first and second place from Shields. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By RORY MOORE Tiger Media Network Fort Hays State University\u2019s Writing Center, Forsyth Library and the Hays Public Library hosted three events to expand students\u2019&hellip; 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