On January 7, 2016, Cupertino will welcome its third Poet Laureate, Amanda Williamsen, and express its thanks to its second Poet Laureate, Jennifer Swanton Brown.

During her term from 2013-2015, Jennifer hosted an Unsung Holidays reading series, participated in civic festivals, judged a poetry contest in conjunction with Silicon Valley Reads, hosted a Poetry Hack-a-Thon, and reached out to writers young and old with workshops and lessons.

Amanda plans to continue many of Jennifer’s efforts, including hosting a diverse reading series, visiting schools, and bringing poetry to many of our town’s events.  Her main project will be to conduct a Poetry Memoir Class for adults.  Through a collection of inter-related poems, writers can create or enhance a memoir in an approachable, meaningful, and fun art form.  A Poetry Memoir can transform a daunting task into an album with a series of snapshots to create a portrait of a life.

Join us at the Cupertino Senior Center on January 7 at 7:oo p.m. to thank Jennifer for her service and welcome Amanda.  Light refreshments will be served.

Pictured above:  Dave Denny, CPL #1, Amanda Williamsen, and Jennifer Swanton Brown.