Welcome Dinner and Mic Check
![Our 24 finalists, their teachers, and poets from across Canada gather for dinner on the opening night of the 2018 Poetry In Voice National Finals.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/mic-check/DSC00097.jpg)
Our 24 finalists, their teachers, and poets from across Canada gather for dinner on the opening night of the 2018 Poetry In Voice National Finals.
![](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/mic-check/DSC00101.jpg)
![Director David Smith and Poet Coordinator Catherine Cormier-Larose welcome everyone.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/mic-check/DSC00087.jpg)
Director David Smith and Poet Coordinator Catherine Cormier-Larose welcome everyone.
![Founding Director, anthology editor, and poet Damian Rogers is in attendance.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/mic-check/DSC00088.jpg)
Founding Director, anthology editor, and poet Damian Rogers is in attendance.
![](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/mic-check/DSC00064.jpg)
![The students take turns at the microphone in the theatre to prepare for Qualifiers the next day.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/mic-check/DSC00120.jpg)
The students take turns at the microphone in the theatre to prepare for Qualifiers the next day.
![](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/mic-check/DSC00124.jpg)
![Meanwhile, the teachers and poets enjoy a glass of wine in the theatre lobby. Board member and former host Johanne Blais talks with poet, judge, and anthology editor Pierre Nepveu.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/mic-check/DSC00143.jpg)
Meanwhile, the teachers and poets enjoy a glass of wine in the theatre lobby. Board member and former host Johanne Blais talks with poet, judge, and anthology editor Pierre Nepveu.
![Poet Hector Ruiz will be leading a poetry workshop with the students and teachers later in the week.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/mic-check/DSC00147.jpg)
Poet Hector Ruiz will be leading a poetry workshop with the students and teachers later in the week.
French & Bilingual Qualifiers
![The next morning, 2016 Bilingual Stream Champion Marie Foolchand hosts the 2018 French & Bilingual Qualifiers.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/qualifiers/DSC00147.jpg)
The next morning, 2016 Bilingual Stream Champion Marie Foolchand hosts the 2018 French & Bilingual Qualifiers.
![The judges and tabulators are ready.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/qualifiers/DSC00008.jpg)
The judges and tabulators are ready.
![Ghada Charki, Collège Durocher Saint-Lambert, St-Lambert, QC](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/qualifiers/DSC00011.jpg)
Ghada Charki, Collège Durocher Saint-Lambert, St-Lambert, QC
![Aimée-Larissa Dushime, St. Joseph's Catholic High School, Windsor, ON](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/qualifiers/DSC00075.jpg)
Aimée-Larissa Dushime, St. Joseph's Catholic High School, Windsor, ON
![Simon Duvialard, Lycée Louis Pasteur, Calgary, AB](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/qualifiers/P1110822.jpg)
Simon Duvialard, Lycée Louis Pasteur, Calgary, AB
![Geneviève Dubuc, École secondaire Jules-Verne, Vancouver, BC](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/qualifiers/DSC00049.jpg)
Geneviève Dubuc, École secondaire Jules-Verne, Vancouver, BC
![Audrey Décarie-Truffer, Cégep du Vieux-Montréal, Montréal, QC](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/qualifiers/P1110880.jpg)
Audrey Décarie-Truffer, Cégep du Vieux-Montréal, Montréal, QC
![Michelle Cheng, Bayview Secondary School, Richmond Hill, ON](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/qualifiers/P1110889.jpg)
Michelle Cheng, Bayview Secondary School, Richmond Hill, ON
![At the end of the show, Marie announces the three students in each stream who will be moving on to the Awards Show the next evening.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/qualifiers/DSC00135.jpg)
At the end of the show, Marie announces the three students in each stream who will be moving on to the Awards Show the next evening.
![Moving forward in the French Prize Stream (l to r): Alice Blouin-Décoste, Jeanne Cantin, and Charlie Rivard](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/qualifiers/DSC00165.jpg)
Moving forward in the French Prize Stream (l to r): Alice Blouin-Décoste, Jeanne Cantin, and Charlie Rivard
![In the Bilingual Prize Stream, the three finalists are (l to r): Olivia Torralbo, Brittany Huellas-Bruskiewicz, and John Wood.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/qualifiers/DSC00168.jpg)
In the Bilingual Prize Stream, the three finalists are (l to r): Olivia Torralbo, Brittany Huellas-Bruskiewicz, and John Wood.
English Qualifiers
![2013 English Stream Champion Kyla Kane hosts the English Qualifiers in the afternoon.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/qualifiers/DSC00014.jpg)
2013 English Stream Champion Kyla Kane hosts the English Qualifiers in the afternoon.
![Laura Beth Neuman, Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate & Vocational School, Kitchener, ON](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/qualifiers/DSC00080.jpg)
Laura Beth Neuman, Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate & Vocational School, Kitchener, ON
![Carly Benson, Assumption College Catholic Secondary School, Windsor, ON](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/qualifiers/P1120110.jpg)
Carly Benson, Assumption College Catholic Secondary School, Windsor, ON
![Elizabeth Wong, Toronto French School, Toronto, ON](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/qualifiers/P1120073.jpg)
Elizabeth Wong, Toronto French School, Toronto, ON
![Chloe Harris, Montague Regional High School, Montague, PE](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/qualifiers/P1110962.jpg)
Chloe Harris, Montague Regional High School, Montague, PE
![Anna Navarro, Bishop Grandin High School, Calgary, AB](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/qualifiers/P1110954.jpg)
Anna Navarro, Bishop Grandin High School, Calgary, AB
![Mary Wan, Webber Academy, Calgary, AB](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/qualifiers/P1110942.jpg)
Mary Wan, Webber Academy, Calgary, AB
![Juliana Nunes, Dr. Charles Best Secondary School, Coquitlam, BC](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/qualifiers/DSC00087.jpg)
Juliana Nunes, Dr. Charles Best Secondary School, Coquitlam, BC
![Jia Xin Chen, École internationale de Montréal, Montréal, QC](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/qualifiers/DSC00070.jpg)
Jia Xin Chen, École internationale de Montréal, Montréal, QC
![Sophia Chu, Canterbury High School, Ottawa, ON](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/qualifiers/P1120011.jpg)
Sophia Chu, Canterbury High School, Ottawa, ON
![Advancing to the Awards Show are Pujita Verma, Gabrielle Nebrida-Pépin, and...](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/qualifiers/Sequence-01.02_21_01_27.Still003.jpg)
Advancing to the Awards Show are Pujita Verma, Gabrielle Nebrida-Pépin, and...
![...Hamish Marissen-Clark](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/qualifiers/Sequence%2001.02_20_54_14.Still001.jpg)
...Hamish Marissen-Clark
The Epic Toronto Poetry Showdown (some captions written by Stuart Ross)
![Thursday morning begins bright and early with a poetic tour and scavenger hunt of Toronto created by Stuart Ross and Catherine Cormier-Larose.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/showdown/DSC00212.jpg)
Thursday morning begins bright and early with a poetic tour and scavenger hunt of Toronto created by Stuart Ross and Catherine Cormier-Larose.
![Stuart: “Éric Charlebois gets students writing haikus about Toronto City Hall as part of the Epic Toronto Poetry Showdown!”](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/showdown/DSC00296.jpg)
Stuart: “Éric Charlebois gets students writing haikus about Toronto City Hall as part of the Epic Toronto Poetry Showdown!”
![](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/showdown/DSC00313.jpg)
![Stuart: “I'm bill bissett's deputy here as he leads the PIV/LVP students in an improv sound poem in the Church of St. Stephen-in-the-Fields, where poet Maggie Helwig is the priest.”](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/showdown/DSC00402.jpg)
Stuart: “I'm bill bissett's deputy here as he leads the PIV/LVP students in an improv sound poem in the Church of St. Stephen-in-the-Fields, where poet Maggie Helwig is the priest.”
![Stuart: “bill bissett led me and the student PIV/LVP finalists in an improv sound poem at the Church of St. Stephen-in-the-Fields.”](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/showdown/DSC00384.jpg)
Stuart: “bill bissett led me and the student PIV/LVP finalists in an improv sound poem at the Church of St. Stephen-in-the-Fields.”
![](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/showdown/DSC00387.jpg)
![Stuart: “The formidable Lorna Crozier, in the window of Future Bistro, provides a quiz for the students standing outside the café during the Epic Toronto Poetry Showdown.”](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/showdown/DSC00423.jpg)
Stuart: “The formidable Lorna Crozier, in the window of Future Bistro, provides a quiz for the students standing outside the café during the Epic Toronto Poetry Showdown.”
![](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/showdown/DSC00425.jpg)
![Stuart: “The brilliant Liz Howard (not in pic) led the intrepid students in creating a Gwendolyn MacEwen cento in Gwendolyn MacEwen Park. Who gave Gwen the scarf on this cold day?”](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/showdown/DSC00444.jpg)
Stuart: “The brilliant Liz Howard (not in pic) led the intrepid students in creating a Gwendolyn MacEwen cento in Gwendolyn MacEwen Park. Who gave Gwen the scarf on this cold day?”
![Stuart: “Fantastic poet Pierre Nepveu greets the wondrous students at Mosaïque Bookstore.”](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/showdown/DSC00556.jpg)
Stuart: “Fantastic poet Pierre Nepveu greets the wondrous students at Mosaïque Bookstore.”
![Stuart: “Fred Martin! He gave us such amazing talks before we wrote a collaborative poem around the medicine wheel.”](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/showdown/DSC00578.jpg)
Stuart: “Fred Martin! He gave us such amazing talks before we wrote a collaborative poem around the medicine wheel.”
![Stuart: “Fred from the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto told us about so many things: the totem pole, the fire pit, the medicine wheel. Such an amazing stop along the Epic Toronto Poetry Showdown.”](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/showdown/DSC00632.jpg)
Stuart: “Fred from the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto told us about so many things: the totem pole, the fire pit, the medicine wheel. Such an amazing stop along the Epic Toronto Poetry Showdown.”
![Stuart: “Adam Sol and Hector Ruíz give some background on Coach House Press and bpNichol before we read in chorus bp's 'concrete poem' in bpNichol Lane.”](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/showdown/DSC00681.jpg)
Stuart: “Adam Sol and Hector Ruíz give some background on Coach House Press and bpNichol before we read in chorus bp's 'concrete poem' in bpNichol Lane.”
![Stuart: “The students rummage through the recycling bins behind Coach House's print shop, looking for nifty literary souvenirs.”](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/showdown/DSC00708-2.jpg)
Stuart: “The students rummage through the recycling bins behind Coach House's print shop, looking for nifty literary souvenirs.”
![](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/showdown/DSC00698.jpg)
Poetry Writing Workshops
![Poet Adam Sol's workshop starts after lunch.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/workshops/DSC00002.jpg)
Poet Adam Sol's workshop starts after lunch.
![](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/workshops/DSC00007.jpg)
![Poet Hector Ruiz](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/workshops/DSC00037.jpg)
Poet Hector Ruiz
![Teachers participate in the workshops...](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/workshops/DSC00076.jpg)
Teachers participate in the workshops...
![...and so do the poets! Fellow workshop facilitator Catherine Poulin attends Hector Ruiz' workshop.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/workshops/DSC00091.jpg)
...and so do the poets! Fellow workshop facilitator Catherine Poulin attends Hector Ruiz' workshop.
![Poet Phoebe Wang](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/workshops/Phoebe1.jpg)
Poet Phoebe Wang
![](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/workshops/Phoebe5.jpg)
The Awards Show
![Hector Ruiz and Catherine Poulin at the reception before the Awards Show](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00143.jpg)
Hector Ruiz and Catherine Poulin at the reception before the Awards Show
![CBC broadcaster Gillian Deacon hosts the Awards Show.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00175.jpg)
CBC broadcaster Gillian Deacon hosts the Awards Show.
![Judging the contest (l to r): poets Pierre Nepveu, Éric Charlebois, Erika Soucy, Liz Howard, Matt Rader, and Canisia Lubrin](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00532.jpg)
Judging the contest (l to r): poets Pierre Nepveu, Éric Charlebois, Erika Soucy, Liz Howard, Matt Rader, and Canisia Lubrin
![Kicking off the English Prize Stream, Pujita Verma from Glenforest Secondary School, Mississauga, ON recites “A History of Houses Built Out of Spite” by Chimwemwe Undi.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00189.jpg)
Kicking off the English Prize Stream, Pujita Verma from Glenforest Secondary School, Mississauga, ON recites “A History of Houses Built Out of Spite” by Chimwemwe Undi.
![Gabrielle Nebrida-Pépin from École des Pionniers-de-Maillardville, Port Coquitlam, BC recites “I Lost My Talk” by Rita Joe.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00254.jpg)
Gabrielle Nebrida-Pépin from École des Pionniers-de-Maillardville, Port Coquitlam, BC recites “I Lost My Talk” by Rita Joe.
![Hamish Marissen-Clark from St. George's School, Vancouver, BC recites “Illegalese: Floodgate Dub” by Wayde Compton.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00232.jpg)
Hamish Marissen-Clark from St. George's School, Vancouver, BC recites “Illegalese: Floodgate Dub” by Wayde Compton.
![English judges Matt Rader and Canisia Lubrin](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00179.jpg)
English judges Matt Rader and Canisia Lubrin
![In the French Prize Stream, Jeanne Cantin from Collège François-de-Laval, Québec, QC recites « Dans la cuisine... » by Carole David.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00266.jpg)
In the French Prize Stream, Jeanne Cantin from Collège François-de-Laval, Québec, QC recites « Dans la cuisine... » by Carole David.
![Alice Blouin-Décoste from Collège Ste-Anne de Lachine, Lachine, QC recites « Quand les cargos... » by Rose Eliceiry.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00385.jpg)
Alice Blouin-Décoste from Collège Ste-Anne de Lachine, Lachine, QC recites « Quand les cargos... » by Rose Eliceiry.
![Charlie Rivard from Cégep de Saint-Laurent, Montréal, QC recites « Je ne trouve pas toujours... » by Louise Dupré.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00391.jpg)
Charlie Rivard from Cégep de Saint-Laurent, Montréal, QC recites « Je ne trouve pas toujours... » by Louise Dupré.
![The Jeremy Worden trio plays during the intermission.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00427.jpg)
The Jeremy Worden trio plays during the intermission.
![After the break, Brittany Huellas-Bruskiewicz from École des Pionniers-de-Maillardville, Port Coquitlam, BC starts the Bilingual Prize Stream with her recitation of “Opus 75, Sestina in B-flat for the Glockenspiel” by Adam Sol.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00383.jpg)
After the break, Brittany Huellas-Bruskiewicz from École des Pionniers-de-Maillardville, Port Coquitlam, BC starts the Bilingual Prize Stream with her recitation of “Opus 75, Sestina in B-flat for the Glockenspiel” by Adam Sol.
![John Wood from Toronto French School, Toronto, ON recites “My Meadow, My Twilight” by Carl Phillips.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00331.jpg)
John Wood from Toronto French School, Toronto, ON recites “My Meadow, My Twilight” by Carl Phillips.
![Olivia Torralbo from The Sacred Heart School of Montreal, Montréal, QC recites « beauté formol » by Chloé Savoie-Bernard.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00347.jpg)
Olivia Torralbo from The Sacred Heart School of Montreal, Montréal, QC recites « beauté formol » by Chloé Savoie-Bernard.
![Judge Pierre Nepveu watches and makes his decisions.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00447.jpg)
Judge Pierre Nepveu watches and makes his decisions.
![Krystyne and Scott Griffin congratulate 2018 Bilingual Prize Stream Champion Brittany Huellas-Bruskiewicz.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00456.jpg)
Krystyne and Scott Griffin congratulate 2018 Bilingual Prize Stream Champion Brittany Huellas-Bruskiewicz.
![Hamish Marissen-Clark collects the trophy and first prize in the English Prize Stream.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00496.jpg)
Hamish Marissen-Clark collects the trophy and first prize in the English Prize Stream.
![French Prize Stream Champion Charlie Rivard is flanked by Jeanne Cantin (l) and Alice Blouin-Décoste (r).](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00591.jpg)
French Prize Stream Champion Charlie Rivard is flanked by Jeanne Cantin (l) and Alice Blouin-Décoste (r).
![Founder Scott Griffin has a few closing words for the audience.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00523.jpg)
Founder Scott Griffin has a few closing words for the audience.
![(l to r) Bilingual Prize Stream Finalists Olivia Torralbo, Brittany Huellas-Bruskiewicz, and John Wood](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00568.jpg)
(l to r) Bilingual Prize Stream Finalists Olivia Torralbo, Brittany Huellas-Bruskiewicz, and John Wood
![(l to r) English Prize Stream Finalists Gabrielle Nebrida-Pépin, Hamish Marissen-Clark, and Pujita Verma](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00582.jpg)
(l to r) English Prize Stream Finalists Gabrielle Nebrida-Pépin, Hamish Marissen-Clark, and Pujita Verma
![French judges (l to r): Pierre Nepveu, Erika Soucy, and Éric Charlebois](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00599.jpg)
French judges (l to r): Pierre Nepveu, Erika Soucy, and Éric Charlebois
![English judges (l to r): Canisia Lubrin, Liz Howard, and Matt Rader](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00607.jpg)
English judges (l to r): Canisia Lubrin, Liz Howard, and Matt Rader
![Hanging out at the Poet Cabaret: David Chariandy (and son), Rabbi Yael Splansky, and Adam Sol](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00637.jpg)
Hanging out at the Poet Cabaret: David Chariandy (and son), Rabbi Yael Splansky, and Adam Sol
![Founding Director Damian Rogers laughs with poet and workshop host Hector Ruiz.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00638.jpg)
Founding Director Damian Rogers laughs with poet and workshop host Hector Ruiz.
![Chimwemwe Undi hosts the Poet Cabaret.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00646.jpg)
Chimwemwe Undi hosts the Poet Cabaret.
![Charlie Rivard performs her own poem.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00644.jpg)
Charlie Rivard performs her own poem.
![The next morning, poets and PIV/LVP staff meet to discuss the first year of the Canada Council partnership.](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00803.jpg)
The next morning, poets and PIV/LVP staff meet to discuss the first year of the Canada Council partnership.
![](http://poetryinvoice.ca/downloads/2018-national-finals/DSC00768.jpg)