LBCC promotes poetry via Student Poet Laureate- Kiera Lynn Eller

 "Poetry is a way of remembering what it would impoverish us to forget." 

Robert Frost

LBCC 's Student Poet Laureate Kiera Lynn Eller

This year, Kiera Lynn Eller has taken up the calling of encouraging poetry at Linn-Benton Community College by assuming the position of Student Poet Laureate.

When Robin Havenick, LB instructor and poetry club adviser, was asked what made Eller the candidate of choice for the position of poet laureate, she said, "[Eller] is a dynamic and amazing poet who has a talent of appreciating others." Havenick described her as a "people person" who focuses on "things that matter."

"[Eller] is talented and charismatic. Like a bright star that sparkles and shines," said Havenick.

Being poet laureate for LB allows Eller to "promote written and spoken word in our community." She feels honored being appointed to the position and is eager to "bring to life" her ideas.

"A finger, two dots, then me" by Derrik Brown is the poem she believes "absolutely everyone" should hear it read aloud.

After hearing the slam poetry by Brown, poetry read with emphasis on how words are said, she felt inspired to become a poet herself.

Saying Eller recites poetry doesn't do her justice; She performs poetry. Energetic and confident, she easily captivates her audiences with her emotion filled words. Relying on not just her voice, she connects with those present through her gaze and body language immersing everyone in her poems.

Not only is Eller a talented poet, she is also a musician. She can play multiple instruments including the ukulele, guitar, and piano. Furthermore, Eller is a singer.

Her band Little Brother, a duet with her partner Crash, is self described as "folkhop...a funky mix of folk, hip-hop, spoken word and jam." Little Brother has performed at the LB's DAC, Spring Light, WordMOB and were recently featured live on KBVR FM on the Bluesday Show with Captain Walt. For a sampling of her bands sound visit http://www.youtube.com/littlebrothersound.

Eller & Crash performing as Little Brother @ LB's Spring Lights '13

The WordMOB event at LB's Benton center was so successful that the poetry club is looking forward to doing it every term next year. 

Eller's plans for the future are currently "wide-open" depending on Little Brother's success. Her goal is to get her Associates of Arts Oregon Transfer Degree but she is "very interested in getting involved with a youth program to support and promote slam poetry education and events."

LB continues the tradition of promoting poetry by awarding a student the position of student poet laureate. LB's student poet laureate is chosen, once a year, by an advisory comity consisting of LB English teachers. The position was created in 2009 via joint efforts of former college President Rita Cavin and Havenick.

"Being the poet laureate can only help further my success in my endeavors towards literature," said Eller.

Robin Havenick and Kiera Lynn Eller

Traditionally, poet laureates speak publicly to provide attention to poetry using the power of words. At LB the poet laureate is responsible for writing poem's of commemoration for major events, as well as actively promoting poetry through LB's poetry club.

The poetry club is inviting consisting of friendly, and as Eller put it, "down-to-earth" people. "We're a tight-knit group and welcome to newcomers...I like being apart of the poetry club for the community and the events," said Eller.

LB's Poetry Club was founded by Havenick in the spring of 08' and has been an ongoing resource for students to express themselves. The Poetry Club meets every Tuesday, 3pm in the Hot Shot Cafe and every Wednesday, 5:30pm in the first floor conference room at the Benton Center. All are welcome to attend, participate(or not), listen, and join the club.

At A Glace:
Kiera Lynn Eller LBCC Poet Laureate
Her band-Little Brother, https://www.facebook.com/littlebrothersound
Poetry Club, http://insidetheheartswalls.blogspot.com/
Poetry Club-Tue 3pm Hot Shot Cafe & Wed 5:30pm first floor conference room @ Benton center
LB poet laureate info, http://www.linnbenton.edu/index.cfm?objectid=B1BA1BC4-0F83-E49B-8ABBF7949082363A