Nikki Giovanni to host annual celebration of student poetry excellence April 10

Ten student finalists from across the university will take center stage at the Moss Arts Center on April 10.

The Giovanni-Steger Poetry Prize ceremony, hosted by University Distinguished Professor Emerita Nikki Giovanni, is set for 5 p.m., with a reception to follow. The event is free and open to the public.

The ceremony promises an enriching evening featuring original poetry read by students and Giovanni, a world-renowned poet and educator.

How the prize works

The poetry prize serves as a platform to honor the power and beauty of words and creativity. This year will showcase the work of undergraduate student finalists from a variety of disciplines.

The top three winners receive monetary awards with the first-place recipient winning $1,100. Second and third place are awarded $500 and $300, respectively. An awards presentation will immediately follow the poetry readings.

Meet the finalists

The prize is a shining example of the power of the humanities at Virginia Tech. This year’s finalists represent four colleges: the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, College of Engineering, College of Science, and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Here are the 10 student finalists and four honorable mentions along with their majors and titles of their poems:

• Ayah Ali, general engineering, “The Ephemerality of Incense”
• Tayler Butters, English, “Decoy”
• Samantha Cho, creative writing, “Log of the Sky / Imposed Significance”
• Victoria Cross, experimental neuroscience, “Just a Few Comforts”
• Victoria Lee Feigert, history (honorable mention), “The Obituary Section”
• Aaidin Finefield, history, “Ode to the Bike Wheel…”
• Caroline Foltz, literature and creative writing, “Sailor Eyes”
• Molleigh Judd, creative writing (honorable mention), “Weekday”
• Kayleigh Kalagher, English, “Only Way to Live”
• Emily Paquette, animal and poultry sciences, “Swallow Song”
• Rose Puschnik, neuroscience (honorable mention), “Mum”
• August Reynolds, English, “Eve Ate Daffodils”
• Aimee Straka, biomedical engineering (honorable mention) “If My Mother Thinks of Me”
• Lillie Tynch, English, “Things to Tell My Therapist”

Prize history and overview

Established in 2006 by Giovanni and former Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger, the poetry competition holds a significant place in the university's history. Open to all undergraduate students at Virginia Tech, it stands as one of the most esteemed platforms for undergraduate poetry in the western hemisphere.

The selection process involves careful consideration by the Giovanni-Steger Committee, made up of faculty members from diverse academic backgrounds. Each submission is evaluated anonymously, ensuring a fair and impartial assessment of each work.