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Purpose
The City of Rock Hill Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate use their roles to create awareness and appreciation for poetry through community outreach, civic engagement, commemoration of the city, and the promotion of literacy across the greater Rock Hill area.
History
The City of Rock Hill Poet Laureate program is an initiative launched in 2018 by Rock Hill Mayor John Gettys. The program is managed by the Poet Laureate Selection Committee, made up of representatives from local arts, nonprofit, education, and community organizations.
Angelo "Eyeambic" Geter
Rock Hill Poet Laureate
Angelo "Eyeambic" Geter is a dynamic poet, spoken word artist and motivational speaker who merges his passions for poetry and speaking into a unique performance that educates, entertains, and inspires. Angelo’s work touches on a variety of issues including social justice, race, grief, character, and manhood.
He blends his pieces with commentary, stories, and personal narratives that transcend a traditional lecture or performance.
Over the course of his career, Angelo has amassed several accolades. He is a 2020 Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellow, 2019 All-America city winner, 2018 National Poetry Slam champion, and finalist in both the Rustbelt Regional and Southern Fried Regional poetry slams. He has also performed and competed in several venues across the country. His work has appeared on All Def Poetry, Charleston Currents, and the Academy of American Poets "Poem-a-Day" series.
Upcoming Events
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4/22 Speaking Truth to Power: Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC | 5–7:30 p.m.
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4/26 Poetry Celebration: C.A. Johnson High School, Columbia, SC | 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
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4/27–30 One Word Poetry Festival: Rock Hill, SC | Various times
Abigail McCluney
Rock Hill Youth Poet Laureate
Abigail McCluney has a major passion for the arts and adores writing and all things creative. She placed fourth in the Youth Poet Laureate competition in 2021 before trying again in 2022 and winning first place, and she was also featured in The Hilltop Tier: An Anthology of Youth and Young Adult Authors (Volume 1).
Abbie is an "A" honor roll student at Rock Hill High School, where she maintains a 4.6 GPA. She is also a part of the color guard, which won first place all winter season in five different competitions, and was a member of the Beta Club in her ninth-grade year, achieving 10 hours and 30 minutes of charity and service time.
Abbie strives to be a young adult author and a successful young woman.
Upcoming Events
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4/29 Patchwork Tales Storytelling Festival: Comporium Amphitheater (Anne Springs Close Greenway), Rock Hill, SC | 2:20 p.m.
Participating Organizations
