With the mission to “Encourage and inspire. And occasionally perspire,” Poetry Club is a new addition to Wenatchee High School’s list of extracurriculars.

Founded by senior Drake Holliday, Poetry Club strives to appreciate, learn, and create poetry. He wanted to start the club to meet similar minded people and give students the opportunity to partake in a different kind of club.

“(WHS) has so many clubs that are service oriented, and this is just a club for students to enjoy,” Holliday said.

Poetry Club focuses on discussing various poems, authors, and structures, as well as writing their own poetry. Every week students are given a topic to write a poem on and then discuss them during the meetings. While the idea of sharing personal poetry might be intimidating, Holliday insists it’s not.

“The whole point [of poetry club] is to be non judgemental and to appreciate,” Holliday said. The newly formed club may be small, yet its members are enthusiastic. Juniors Josey Meats and Matthew Tangeman are just two of the six members in the club.

“I really want to be a writer, and I think it’s a good way to expand my writing skills,” Meats said. Tangeman, however, wanted to join for a different reason. “I enjoy writing poetry, and it isn’t something I often get to share and express with other people,” he said.

Senior Mary Rowles also enjoys the environment. “I think it’s cool to give people an outlet for expression and be with creative thinking people,” she said.

The club’s adviser is leadership teacher Brent Grothe. When Holliday asked Grothe to advise the club, he couldn’t refuse. After taking a creative writing class a few years ago, Grothe said, “I got bit. I fell in love with poetry.”

Grothe enjoys seeing what the students write. “I love this opportunity,” said Grothe. “It gives us the chance to write and the club offers the opportunity to be motivated.”

Poetry Club meets every Friday during PAWS in the ASB room.