This Column is a profile for the important people to know around Centenary. This issue was an interview with Red River Poetry Society President Reece Maguire. Reece is a junior English major with a concentration in Creative Writing. She currently holds the positions of Junior Editor for Pandora literary and art magazine, copy editor for The Conglomerate, vice president of Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society, and a member of La Légion Louisianaise. She also currently holds the title of 2022-2023 Red River Poetry Society (RRPS) president. She became president of the Poetry Society this year after her predecessor, Jordan Fong, passed the torch. 

On January 17, 2023, Reece helped organize Centenary's Dream Week Poetry Slam, which saw many people in attendance and expanded Poetry Society's member numbers. The event was a collaboration with the diversity committee and helped broaden the reach of the Poetry Society throughout campus. Students were able to compete with original works or simply listen to impactful poems within the theme. It was a very popular hit with the poetry fans around Centenary. The winner won a small prize as congratulations. 

Q&A with Reece Maguire 

Why did you join the Poetry Society, and what steps did you take to be President? 

In the fall of my freshman year, I enrolled in Dr. Emily Leithauser’s creative writing poetry course. As RRPS' current faculty advisor, she encouraged everyone in her course to join. 

My freshman year happened during the peak of COVID, so I was isolated from most of the other students in my grade and didn’t know very many people. Joining Red River Poetry Society allowed me to meet other students with similar interests and get involved in a campus organization that aligned with my major. 

When I joined, most of the Executive Board was graduating, so there were quite a few positions to fill. The idea of running for a position never crossed my mind -- I was still only a freshman -- but when the title of Vice President came up, Dr. Leithauser recommended my name. I was shocked but honored that she thought I would make a good candidate, so I accepted without hesitation. 

I attended nearly every meeting that year and made sure to come prepared to discuss the theme of our meetings. It was the only organization I was involved in at the time, so I tried to give it my all. I only assumed the role of President after the amazing Jordan Fong decided to step down to focus on her other campus dedications.

I can only describe how I became the President by briefly mentioning everything Jordan did for the Poetry Society. Amid Covid madness, while also being a sophomore, she kept this organization afloat, and we would not be where we are today without her. 

Why is Red River Poetry Society important to you? 

Red River Poetry Society was the first campus organization I joined, so it will always have a special place in my heart. 

Being part of this organization pushed me to get out of my comfort zone and experience things I would have otherwise only seen on social media. Summoning the courage to read my poetry out loud and volunteering to represent the organization at campus events like Campus Connections has helped me to begin to conquer my fear of public speaking and see myself more confidently. 

Why did you choose to participate in the Dream Week poetry slam? 

I think that it's beneficial for organizations to collaborate to create a sense of unity on campus, especially around weeks with themes as important as Dream Week. Working with the Diversity Committee broadened our audience to that outside of Poetry Society and once more helped me meet new people. 

In terms of hosting a poetry slam and open mic night, one of my primary goals as the President of this organization is to vocalize that writing and reading poetry doesn’t have to be scary. Once you’re comfortable with the scene, it can really be a lot of fun! 

What has been the most fun event that you've been a part of in Poetry Society? 

The Poetry Society event I enjoyed the most was our first in-person open mic night we hosted in the spring of 2022. Before this, most, if not all, of our meetings were conducted via Zoom for social distancing reasons. So it was exhilarating to get to gather in one room and listen to everyone’s poems. It felt so authentic and solidified how much I enjoy being part of this organization. 

Why is joining Centenary organizations important? And how can students work to be more involved in campus activities? 

“Joining organizations at Centenary is super important because it balances the stress of your course load. 

If you only go to class and shut yourself inside your dorm to do homework, you’ll get burnt out much faster and miss out on some really fantastic opportunities. Joining organizations is a great

way to make friends, build credentials for your resume, and create unforgettable memories. I’ve met some of my closest friends through the organizations I’m involved in at Centenary.” 

What's a fun fact about you? 

A fun fact about me is that before I enrolled at Centenary, I hated everything about poetry and thought it was impossible to understand. 

Now, I love writing my own poetry and analyzing other people’s pieces because I know no concrete rules define what is and what isn’t a “good” poem. 

How can students become involved in Red River Poetry Society? 

If you’d like to join the Red River Poetry Society, you can always email me (rmaguire@my.centenary.edu), and I can add your name to our Engage page. 

Feel free to also reach out to our Secretary, Mary (mcaruthers@my.centenary.edu, to have your email added to our roster, or our Vice President, Jerney (jharms@my.centenary.edu). 

And make sure to follow our Instagram (redriverpoetrysociety.cent) to catch the highlights of the events we host!

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