I’ve written over the years about how hard it is for a Virginia lieutenant governor to get any headlines, given the nature of the job.
This is my preface today to the item about the current LG, Ghazala Hashmi, being given the launch of the a statewide poetry contest for K-12 students.
Entries into the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia Poetry Contest, which Hashmi is sponsoring in partnership with Virginia Humanities, will be accepted through the submission portal through Monday, Nov. 16.
“Poetry reminds us that language is one of our oldest forms of civic participation,” said Hashmi, who taught English at the University of Richmond and J. Sargent Reynolds Community College. “As an educator, I have always believed that learning flourishes when students are empowered to ask questions, reflect deeply, and share their own perspectives. Poetry creates that opportunity, giving young people the confidence to discover their voices and the tools to communicate them with purpose.”
Per the release announcing the contest from the LG’s office, students are “invited to submit original poetry or spoken word that is honest, thoughtful, and reflective of their own experiences.”
“This poetry contest invites young Virginians to explore and express their personal connections to the Commonwealth through poetry,” said Matthew Gibson, the executive director of Virginia Humanities. “We’re proud to partner with Lt. Gov. Hashmi to create an opportunity for young people across Virginia to express themselves through poetry and discover the power of their own voices.”
Contest rules, submission guidelines, and eligibility information are available at ltgov.virginia.gov/newsroom/poetry-contest.
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Chris Graham
