Making Poetry Accessible to All w/ Nebraska State Poet Jewel Rodgers & Tessa Bockoven, GISH Senior

There’s power in the written and the spoken word. That’s certainly the message our current state poet, Jewel Rodgers, is taking with her to call corners of Nebraska. For those that don’t know, Jewel Rodgers is a creative force.  She fills a room with laughter, with dynamic spoken word gravitas, and spend 10 minutes with her and you’ll know beyond a doubt that she is driven by not only sharing her creative work but championing the power of voice in others. Jewel served as the Nebraska State Poet since 2025 and is the first African American to hold the role.  She has been a spoken word poet for more than a decade, performing in schools, festivals, community settings, conferences, public events, and other venues.Recently, Jewel visited Grand Island Senior High to lead a student writers workshop and host a Poetry Reading & Open Mic Night event. GISH Senior Tessa Bockoven sat down with Jewel, on the mic, to dish on poetry, the creative process, the effects of A.I., and so, so much more.  Their conversation is an authentic journey of two creatives — one in high school venturing soon to college; and the other a statewide ambassador for all things poetry.Jewel even performs one of her favorite personal pieces. -- GUESTS: Jewel Rodgers - Nebraska State PoetTessa Bockoven - GISH Senior HOST:Mitchell Roush - GIPS Communications Director--FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchoolshttps://www.gips.org/