HIGH POINT, N.C., April 27, 2018 – High Point University students in the HPU LifeLines program partnered with Operation Xcel, a community after-school program for local children, to host a poetry celebration last night.
HPU LifeLines is a program dedicated to engaging elderly adults, particularly those suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia, in communal poetry writing to aid memory and elevate overall physical and psychological well-being. In its fifth year, the organization has expanded its community partnerships to include Operation Xcel, working with local middle school students to teach them poetry and the benefits of collective creativity.
As an additional resource to Operation Xcel, the HPU LifeLines organized last night’s celebration, providing poetry readings, interactive performances of poems and stories alongside Operation Xcel children.
Twice a week throughout the year, HPU students have joined Operation Xcel students in grades six through eight to write and connect. During the poetry celebration, HPU students presented Operation Xcel children with a published collection of their creative works.
“As director of HPU LifeLines, I get the pleasure of watching true friendships blossom between HPU students and our community partners,” said Dr. Allison Walker, professor of English at HPU. “Students without prior poetry experience become enthusiastic writers and true believers in the myriad of health benefits of artistic expression. Last night I watched as Operation Xcel kids presented thank you notes to my HPU students with big smiles and bear hugs. I know my HPU students learned to see the world through another person’s eyes, and they experienced true gratitude for that shared creative journey.”