Charlie Watts ’25 to represent Mount Holyoke College at Glascock Poetry Contest

Photo courtesy of Max Wilhelm

Charlie Watts ’25 has been selected to repesent Mount Holyoke College at the Glascock Poetry Contest. “I would really love for people to feel seen,” she says regarding her poetry reading.

The 102th Kathryn Irene Glascock Intercollegiate Poetry Contest will take place at Mount Holyoke College on Apr. 3 and 4, 2025. It is the oldest continuously-running intercollegiate poetry contest in the country. This year, all of the contestants hail from either historically women’s colleges or gender-diverse women’s colleges. In the days leading up to the contest, Mount Holyoke News will be releasing digital-exclusive profiles of each poet-contestant.

By Isabel Dunn ’27

Books Editor

Charlie Watts ’25 doesn’t remember a time when she hasn’t been writing. This week, she will represent Mount Holyoke College at the 2025 Kathryn Irene Glascock Intercollegiate Poetry Contest. 

“I did not like poetry until high school,” Watts admitted in an interview with Mount Holyoke News. “I had a teacher who showed me some Sharon Olds’ poetry, and that converted me into liking it because it was a much more confessional style.”

In her own writing, Watts hopes to draw on that confessional style. She is inspired by poets like Olds whose writing evokes a realistic, creative nonfiction style. 

“There's a poem of [Olds’] called Cambridge Elegy,” Watts said. “The narrator of the poem is remembering a love interest or boyfriend who's died. And I read it on a train, and I was crying on the train.”

The selection of poems that Watts will present at the contest were written “all in one jumble” during an emotional time. She spoke about how her poetry is often about herself, but how she hopes it can connect to others.

“I would really love for people to feel seen or listened to,” she said. “I guess I write poetry a lot of times, I think, to make myself feel less alone … I would really like people to come out of this feeling more understood if their experiences are anything like mine.”

Beyond Glascock and the College, Watts hopes to continue writing in some capacity. Following her passion for working creatively, she has many artistic goals.

“I would love to be a fiction author one day eventually, just ’cause that's kind of always been the dream,” she said. “I would love to get an MFA in creative writing. I would love to be a professor of creative writing … I would just love to be surrounded by  writing and a reading atmosphere.”

Alayna Khan ’27 contributed fact-checking.

Elani Spencer talks poetry ahead of Glascock contest: “One of the best mediums for change”

Photo courtesy of Elani Spencer

Elani Spencer dreams of starting an artist residency or a slam poetry team in the future. She will represent Hollins University at the competition.

The 102th Kathryn Irene Glascock Intercollegiate Poetry Contest will take place at Mount Holyoke College on April 3 and 4, 2025. It is the oldest continuously-running intercollegiate poetry contest in the country. This year, all of the contestants hail from either historically women’s colleges or gender-diverse women’s colleges. In the days leading up to the contest, Mount Holyoke News will be releasing digital-exclusive profiles of each poet-contestant.

By Jesse Hausknecht-Brown ’25

Staff Writer | Podcast Producer

After her third grade English teacher hung a short story of hers on the wall and bragged about it to her mother, Elani Spencer knew she had to continue writing. 

“From then on, I would spend every single independent reading time writing in my journal in the back of the classroom,” Spencer said in an email to Mount Holyoke News. “Quickly, writing became a passion and not just a hobby.”

Spencer, a sophomore at Hollins University, will represent the university at Mount Holyoke College’s Kathryn Irene Glascock Intercollegiate Poetry Contest on April 3, 2025. Spencer is one of six contestants, all of whom are, for the first time in 97 years, from historically women’s colleges or gender-diverse colleges. Spencer is majoring in creative writing with a concentration in multicultural literature and is a business minor.

This won’t be Spencer’s first time competing in a poetry competition. In 2021, they won first place at the secondAnnual Juneteenth Poetry Slam with their poem “11 reasons why this is our home,” which they will read again for the Glascock Poetry Contest. 

“Although I have participated in a poetry competition in the past, this is my first time competing on a regional level,” Spencer said. “I know the room is going to be bursting with talent, and I can’t wait to learn from all the participants, judges, and Mount Holyoke staff. Also, I’m looking forward to sharing my work with new people, and connecting with other young writers.”

Spencer explained that Michelle DeGroot, chair of the Department of English and Creative Writing at Hollins University, believed she would be a good choice to represent Hollins given that she, as Roanoke, Virginia’s inaugural Youth Poet Laureate, has experience performing her poetry.

Through their poetry, Spencer hopes to inspire others to both engage with poetry as a form and to create change. “Poetry is one the best mediums for change, so if everyone partakes in it, I think we can do a lot of good in the world,” Spencer said.

“I explore current events, racial discrimination, intersectionality, familial relationships, ancestry, mental health, poverty, feminism, and generational trauma,” Spencer said. “I delve deep into these serious topics for the purpose of finding healing, encouraging reflection, and creating a safe space for others to feel understood.”

They draw inspiration from Danez Smith’s poem “Dinosaurs in the Hood” because of its critique of Black representation in film and media. In the poem, Smith writes, “I want Viola Davis to save the city in the last scene with a black fist afro pick / through the last dinosaur’s long, cold-blood neck. But this can’t be / a black movie. This can’t be a black movie.”

Spencer states that “through this poem, [Smith] tells his readers that we must advocate for [and] make art that showcases the Black community in a genuine, authentic light. This is exactly what I strive to do within my own poetry by writing about my experiences as a Black woman.”

When she isn’t writing poetry, Spencer also enjoys writing fiction — specifically magical realism — and has a passion for fantasy. Her ultimate goal is to run her own “fantasy-themed artist residency where writers come to create and engage in community together.” As a reader, she also likes the high fantasy genre, especially when it includes “heist plots and a dash of romance, murder mysteries, and literally anything with a queer character.”

While Spencer wants to continue making art and publish her writing in book form, she also wants to ground her work in teaching and mentorship. “I aspire to start my own slam poetry team where I coach young adults to prepare them for competitions,” Spencer said. “Also, I want to teach freelance creative writing workshops for all ages, and inspire more people to engage in poetry.”

Alayna Khan ’27 contributed fact-checking.

Izzy Toy Rettke is bringing curiosity to the Glascock Poetry Contest

Photo courtesy of Izzy Toy Rettke

“I've always been a writer, ever since I was a kid,” Izzy Toy Rettke says. They will represent Wellesley College at the Glascock Poetry Contest.

The 102th Kathryn Irene Glascock Intercollegiate Poetry Contest will take place at Mount Holyoke College on Apr. 3 and 4, 2025. It is the oldest continuously-running intercollegiate poetry contest in the country. This year, all of the contestants hail from either historically women’s colleges or gender-diverse women’s colleges. In the days leading up to the contest, Mount Holyoke News will be releasing digital-exclusive profiles of each poet-contestant.

By Sarah Grinnell ’26

Books Editor

  For Wellesley College senior Izzy Toy Rettke, poetry has been a lifelong love affair. 

  “I've always been a writer, ever since I was a kid making up stories with my friends,” Rettke told Mount Holyoke News in an email interview. 

  However, while delving deeper into poetry in high school, it was not until they arrived at college that their poetry was truly able to “take off” in a workshop class. 

  “That experience took my poetry from the notes app realm to something I could actually, meaningfully work with,” he explained. 

  Now, as one of the 2025 Kathryn Irene Glascock Intercollegiate Poetry Contest participants, Rettke said they are most excited for people to “feel curious once they hear my poetry.”

  He expanded, “I write a lot about memory/remembering, speculative themes, and things that can't be linearly or neatly expressed otherwise. So I hope that murkiness can strike an emotional chord but also leave an ultimate sense of things out of grasp, the wonderful and the strange.”

  As a writer, Rettke described their affinity for writing short stories and flash fiction, noting that their stories and poems often “talk to each other in a cool way.” 

  As a reader, they are an avid fan of speculative fiction — especially when it deals with apocalyptic or dystopian stories — as well as microhistories, magical realism and experimental fiction. Rettke shared that one poem that really speaks to him is Diane Seuss’ sonnet “It is abominable, unquenchable by touch.” 

  Looking to the future, Rettke is very invested in finding ways to “preserve” their creative outlets post-graduation. 

  They explained, “Something I love about writing and being a writer is the community it generates, so I hope to be involved with more small presses, zines, etc where I end up post-grad, the same way I do now in college.”

  And he is certainly not slowing down after Glascock; Rettke is also currently working on an undergraduate thesis of poetry that will ultimately become their first collection. So, while students and staff across the competing schools cheer them on at Glascock along with the other contestants, they can take comfort in the fact that Rettke’s already successful poetry journey is far from over. 

Sofia Ramon ’27 contributed fact-checking.

Miley Lu, Glascock contestant, explores the inherent “mystery” of poetry

Photo courtesy of Miley Lu

“In poetry, it’s important to keep secrets,” Miley Lu says. They will represent Vassar College at the Glascock Poetry Contest.

The 102th Kathryn Irene Glascock Intercollegiate Poetry Contest will take place at Mount Holyoke College on April 3 and 4, 2025. It is the oldest continuously-running intercollegiate poetry contest in the country. This year, all of the contestants hail from either historically women’s colleges or gender-diverse women’s colleges. In the days leading up to the contest, Mount Holyoke News will be releasing digital-exclusive profiles of each poet-contestant.

By Melanie Duronio ’26

Staff Writer

Since they were in elementary school, Miley Lu has “always written stuff” as a tool of creative expression while growing up. Now, as a senior with an English major and creative writing concentration at Vassar College, they have honed their work to be  showcased in this year’s Kathryn Irene Glascock Intercollegiate Poetry Contest.

“I was so excited when I read that [nomination] email,” Lu said. “I’ll be honest, I really had a severe bout of imposter syndrome … But I’m still very, very excited for it, and at the end of the day, it’s an incredible opportunity. And I would never want to give that up.”

Lu was nominated for the Glascock Poetry Contest by her Vassar professors. She describes the college as “a beautiful place with wonderful people,” who provided a nurturing environment for her creative works. Lu credits her English professor Timothy Liu as a mentor, who “really changed my path in life.”

“He’s a wonderful poet and he is Chinese American, he’s gay, he’s queer … to meet him and to read his poetry was the first time in my life that I was like, ‘Wow, someone like me can do this for a job and a living,’” Lu said. 

While writing, Lu often explores the inherent “mystery” and “confessional booth” aspect of poetry. Unlike when writing an essay or longer form story, Lu wants to leave their readers with an “aftertaste” of an emotion that is familiar yet indescribable. 

With this, they hope the audience can work on “untangling” themselves.

“The tangliness means that there’s something to work apart,” they said. “And I think that’s what makes it important. Not even always to do the untangling, but to recognize that there is something to pry and to poke at.”

This does not stop Lu from keeping secrets of their own in their writing. When writing about a vulnerable topic, they find it is “almost too much to just come out and say it,” and prefer to take advantage of unreliable narration in their prose.

“In poetry, it’s important to keep secrets,” Lu said. “You have to keep a couple cards very close to your chest … you're telling a very intimate story and a very intimate truth, but you are still allowed to keep some things close to you and to ask the reader to figure it out.”” 

Lu will read four poems at the Glascock Contest: “mother : morpho : man”; “smoke point ekphrastic”; “on earth we weigh the same as ever. and”; and “落井 / 下石 (well-fall / cast stone).” She finds that her pieces often turn into portraits of her loved ones, such as her mother and her partner, although does not consider them as love poems in a traditional sense.

“The most important things to you in your life are often what comes out of your writing, whether you mean to or not,” Lu said. “A lot of my poems end up being, or trying to be, portraiture of my loved ones.

“I was told once by Timothy Liu that you have to make the beloved visible,” Lu said.You have to give details or memories or little things that are important and unmistakable, that make this person so that they are  no one else.”  

Moving forward, Lu finds the path of academia to be most appealing. She sees herself continuing to work in poetry as a professor and publishing a collection of her works one day. 

“I would say I want to be a poet, but something I’ve been taught not to say is that,” Lu said. “Everyone who is a poet will say, ‘You’re a poet as long as you write poems.’” 

Sofia Ramon ’27 contributed fact-checking.

AT Rhodes discusses poetry and scripting ahead of Glascock contest

Photo courtesy of AT Rhodes

AT Rhodes, a writer across many genres, will represent Spelman College at the Glascock Poetry Contest. They say their poetry is about “really getting to the heart of the matter.”

The 102th Kathryn Irene Glascock Intercollegiate Poetry Contest will take place at Mount Holyoke College on April 3 and 4, 2025. It is the oldest continuously-running intercollegiate poetry contest in the country. This year, all of the contestants hail from either historically women’s colleges or gender-diverse women’s colleges. In the days leading up to the contest, Mount Holyoke News will be releasing digital-exclusive profiles of each poet-contestant.

By Cat McKenna ’28 

Staff Writer

AT Rhodes’ passion for poetry began in their ninth-grade English class. Now, as a senior at Spelman College, they will represent their school at the 2025 Kathryn Irene Glascock Intercollegiate Poetry Contest in early April. 

Rhodes credits Kevin Young’s poem “Song of Smoke,” a poem about love, as the piece that sparked their interest in poetry. “It was the first time I had realized how there was this whole other language behind just what was written,” Rhodes said in an interview with Mount Holyoke News. “It just really made me appreciate reading into things, looking closer at the world.”

One particularly resonant moment for Rhodes was sharing "Song of Smoke" with their mother. As they discussed the poem, their mother asked if the author was also Black. Their mother had not known Kevin Young’s background prior, but sensed it through the poem’s allusions. Through their mother's inference, Rhodes realized how poetry could reveal other perspectives, propelling their passion for writing.

“I just got obsessed with learning everything I could about poetry … So, I kind of spiraled from there,” Rhodes said. 

Beyond poetry, Rhodes has taken up narrative writing, growing an interest in writing scripts for films, especially video games. “Ever since I got deep into narrative stuff, I'm like, why am I not playing more video games?  So I would love to continue that thread, just writing, pretty much in any way I can.” 

More recently, they have ventured into writing video essays, enjoying the freedom of being able to discuss whatever comes to mind. Additionally, they are an avid reader of manga. 

When it comes to their poetry, Rhodes hopes people walk away with a glimpse into their life and perspective. “I would want them to feel like they're stepping into my world, like they're stepping into my living room. Like, no matter exactly what I'm expressing or feeling, I want them to feel like they're on my couch. Really getting to the heart of the matter,” they said.

Quill Nishi-Leonard ’27 contributed fact-checking.

The Odyssey Bookshop: A local treasure rooted in stories and community

Graphic by Brianna Stockwell ’28

YunTong Liu ’27

Staff Writer

Located across from Mount Holyoke College, the Odyssey Bookshop is more than just a bookstore: It’s a community hub. Whether it’s college students, retirees or families, people from all walks of life come to relax, browse or enjoy a quiet moment. But what makes the Odyssey so special? What stories lie within this beloved bookstore that people don’t know? Mount Holyoke News had the privilege of sitting down with Joan Grenier, the shop’s owner, to learn more about its history.

It was Grenier’s father who started the bookstore, and she worked with him for many years. After he died in 1997, she took over.

Besides working at the Odyssey, Grenier has worked in a factory and several hospitals. “It’s not easy,” she said, when asked about the challenges of running an independent bookstore. Sometimes small business margins are tight, and bookselling is even tougher. But the Odyssey makes it work. They host about 125 events a year, bringing in authors and speakers from across the country. “It is great to meet them and hear about what they’re doing, and how they wrote their book. Our customers are wonderful, and they’re all ages and all backgrounds,” Grenier said.

The Odyssey has also evolved beyond books. In addition to its vast collection, the store offers programs like the First Edition Club for collectors and the Gift of Reading Club for children. Their Mount Holyoke College merchandise has been popular among students and alums for nearly a decade. "It’s going to continue to be a gathering place,” Grenier said proudly.

Inside the store, every detail is thoughtfully designed. With warm colors, oak decorations and an inviting layout, the space feels like a second home to many. Grenier pointed to the “ziggurat” display of new nonfiction hardcovers, which is constantly updated and is a big hit with customers. “We call [it] the Zig,” she said with a smile. It’s a display that keeps things fresh, always featuring new nonfiction books in hardback. She also explained how the design of the store is intentional: From the lighting to the carpet and the shelves, every detail is carefully planned, ensuring that the space is accessible even for those in wheelchairs.

Customer service is another cornerstone of the Odyssey’s charm. Grenier mentioned that sometimes customers come in unsure of what they’re looking for; perhaps they’ve forgotten the title or author of a book. Other times, they’re looking for the perfect gift: A book for a grandchild, a retiree or a new baby. “We pride ourselves on our customer service,” she said.

As the conversation came to a close, Grenier shared a memorable story about regular visitors to the Odyssey. In a hidden corner behind the cashier’s counter, a room covered in drawings and signatures can be found. “These are mostly [from] authors and illustrators that have come to the store,” Grenier explained. The walls are covered in beautiful illustrations and messages in various languages left by those who had shared their work with the Odyssey’s community.

Odyssey continues to host numerous book-related events, so anyone interested in joining a book club or meeting others who share a love for reading will agree that the Odyssey is the place to be.

The Odyssey isn’t just a place to buy books; it’s where both real and imagined stories come to life. With its rich history and the dedication of people like Grenier, it’s a place where stories and love intertwine, making it a true community treasure.

Karishma Ramkarran ’27 contributed fact-checking

Kick back this spring break with three recent releases

Photo courtesy of Dom J via Pexels

By Honora Quinn ’27

Staff Writer

Midterms are on the horizon, which means spring break is just around the corner. Whether you’re looking for a quick trip into another world, to dwell a while amongst dragons, or even to explore a searing personal history, here are three recent book releases you might have missed to add to your spring break To-Be-Read list.

“The River Has Roots” by Amal El-Mohtar

In her debut solo novella and first release since the Hugo Award-winning “This Is How You Lose The Time War,” co-written with Max Gladstone, El-Mohtar retells “The Two Sisters,” a 17th century folk murder ballad. Along the way, El-Mohtar explores the bonds and dangers of magic and sisterhood through siblings Esther and Ysabel as they test whether even death can keep them apart.

“This Ends in Embers” by Kamilah Cole

Kamilah Cole returns to the world of her “Divine Traitors” duology for the final time in “This Ends in Embers.” In Cole’s fantastically-crafted, Jamaican-inspired world, we find another pair of sisters, Faron and Elara, who discover themselves on the opposite sides of a brewing war after the jaw-dropping conclusion of the first book, “So Let Them Burn.” Come for the dragons, stay for the drama and the magic and watch as the “lines between hero and villain are blurred.”.

“Bibliophobia” by Sarah Chihaya

In “Bibliophobia,” Chihaya explores the books that ruin us — that “annihilate, reveal and provoke” — by weaving her own tale of personal loss, ruin and resurrection. The memoir is both about Chihaya’s journey preceding and following her “nervous breakdown” and her relationship with literature such as “Anne of Green Gables,” “The Bluest Eye,” “The Last Samurai” and more, which all come together to craft a raw story of survival.

2025 is bound to be a great year for books, but between assignments, exams and extracurricular commitments, it can be hard to keep up with them all. So, this spring break, if you’re looking for your next read — whether in the mood for fantasy, memoir or a lyrical retelling — don't forget these stunning works that have been released thus far. Happy reading!

Karishma Ramkarran ’27 contributed fact-checking.