Ebube Onwusika ’21
American Poet Grace Cavalieri came to Mercersburg Academy (virtually) last week. Her lecture was the kickoff of this year’s Ammerman Residency. Though the school community was not able to congregate in the Simon Theater as it normally would, Cavalieri addressed students and faculty members in their classrooms and homes. In addition, she held a series of poetry workshops with students, ranging from one-on-one opportunities to group talks.

During the school meeting on Monday night, Cavalieri talked about poetry, what it meant for her, and what it can mean to others. She read excerpts from a couple of her poems and closed off the meeting by inviting students to meet with her one-on-one, which many students did.
Ebube Onwusika ‘21, was one of these students. She says, “Meeting Grace Cavalieri was an incredible opportunity. In the short thirty minutes I had with her, I felt myself grow a lot as a poet. She was so interested in learning more about me, and in hearing me read some of my work.” Mel Cort ‘23 had a similar experience. They said, “I grew a lot in terms of being vulnerable with my work. It was a great opportunity for networking.” Additionally, Cavalieri even sent some student works to publishers, which is “as good as gold.” Overall, Cavalieri’s one-on-one workshops were important in different ways for each student. Because Cavalieri did not have a set protocol for interacting with members of the student community, she let each conversation form itself. And so, no two meetings were the same.
In addition to individual meetings, Cavalieri also set up workshops for students to learn and share poetry. The workshops were pioneered by Writing Center Director Michele Poacelli and Director of the Burgin Center for the Arts Laurie Mufson. Together, the two faculty members organized the opportunities students had to meet with Grace Cavalieri. Destiny Rodney ‘21 was at Cavalieri’s “Coming Home to Ourselves: Introduction to Poetry Writing Workshop.” She remarks, “I wish we went more in depth and finished the writing style she had taught us. I would have loved more time with her.”
This year’s Ammerman Residency will be one for the books. Grace Cavalieri’s impact and the time well spent with students is another great aspect of the annual program. The yearly opportunity for students to learn, grow, and engage (even in a virtual setting) is the reason why the event remains a Mercersburg tradition.