National Student Poet Sojourner Ahebee and Poet Billy Collins Read Poetry at White House

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden hosted a poetry recital in honor of Kalsoom Nawaz Sharif, wife of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in the Blue Room of the White House, on Oct. 23, 2013. Poems were read by Billy Collins, an American poet, and myself, Sojourner Ahebee, a student poet.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden host a tea and poetry recital in honor of Kalsoom Nawaz Sharif.

The formidable and popular poet and former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins read some of his poetry for this occasion. 

First Lady Michelle Obama, Student Poet Sojourner Ahebee, and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice-President Joe Biden. This was Sojourner's second visit to the White House.

Rachel Goslins, Executive Director of the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities, National Student Poet Sojourner Ahebee, Poet Billy Collins and Olivia Morgan, founder of the National Student Poets Program and PCAH member. 

*Photos- by Amanda Lucidon 

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Opportunities for Young People in the Creative Arts: 
The Anthony Quinn Foundation Scholarship

Organized as a vehicle to perpetuate Anthony Quinn’s vision for an art conscious society, the Anthony Quinn Foundation Scholarship Program raises and distributes funds for arts education. The Scholarship Program focuses on the Visual Arts & Design, Performing Arts, Media Arts, and Literary Arts for young adults in high school. Scholarship recipients can apply Foundation funds to any recognized pre-college, summer or after-school arts education program. Funds awarded will be sent directly to the pre-college, summer or after-school arts education program designated by the student. The Anthony Quinn Foundation Scholarship cannot be used for secondary school or college tuition. 

To learn more, click here:  http://anthonyquinnfoundation.org/scholarship-program/overview/