Since its inception in April of 1996 via the Academy of American Poets, National Poetry Month has become an annual calendar event celebrating the impact poetry has in our lives and in our culture, now beginning its fourth decade of existence.
The event has now developed into the largest literary celebration in the world with millions of readers, educators, students, librarians, booksellers, and poets underscoring the unfathomable significance poetry has in today’s world. Nancy Dye, former educator of English and history at TCCHS, and Carolyn Wells, another former English educator at TCCHS, has once more reached out to the Todd County Public Library, to Historic Todd County, Inc., and to the Green River Academy to promote “Poetry Slam 2026” at the Todd County Public Library.
Planned for Thursday evening, April 16, “Poetry Slam 2026” will take place beginning at 6:00 PM in the Community Room at the TCPL located at 507 South Main Street in Elkton. Those in high school or older who wish to read a poem, either one they have penned or a favorite they have, are asked to reach out to Nancy Dye at ndye@bellsouth.net or to Carolyn L. Wells at carolynlwells@icloud.com with the name of the poem and author, the name of the participant and contact info, and whether the presentation will be in person or via a video. To schedule the night’s readings, the sponsors also ask participants to send a copy of their poem to either Dye or Wells at their email addresses no later than April 9 at 5:00 PM. To avoid an overly long “Slam,” participants are also asked to limit presentations to no longer than seven minutes with each participant reading one poem only. Both retired educators are hopeful many former students and educators will share their literary talents with the community in honor of National Poetry Month.
Noting so many in our community and area still have so much to share when it comes to the arts, Ms. Dye messaged, “Todd County has always had a phenomenal amount of talent. I hope many former students will participate in this fun event. So many of our former students won district, regional, and state competitions in oratory, and the older I get, the more I realize that their talent just keeps growing .” Admission to the event is free with a donation jar available to those who wish to contribute to the GRA or HTC in their efforts with the rehabilitation of the Green River Academy on Goebel Avenue or to the Historic 1835 Todd County Courthouse on the Square in Elkton. Light refreshments will be served.
~ Article by Carolyn L. Wells
March 6, 2026
