Announcing your Midwest Region 2014 National Student Poet, Weston Clark! The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers partner to present the National Student Poets Program (NSPP), the country’s highest honor for youth poets presenting original work. Five outstanding high school poets whose work exhibits exceptional creativity, dedication to craft, and promise are selected annually for a year of service as national poetry ambassadors.

Weston, who hails from Zionsville, IN and is a sophomore at Park Tudor School in Indianapolis, has been writing poetry since he was in first grade. He initially wrote Shel Silverstein–style poetry and has enjoyed exploring other styles, including free verse. Through his writing, Weston tries to evoke emotions in his audience. He strongly agrees with Maya Angelou’s philosophy: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” 

Fun Facts: 

Weston has participated in a slow-motion fighting match while in the White House.

Not only does West write poetry, he is also interested in singing, playing guitar, acting and virtually every other form of performing art (except for interpretive dance).

West is related to the great Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley.

Favorite Quote about Writing:

“No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist.” -Oscar Wilde

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”  -Oscar Wilde