“O Captain! My Captain!” written by the dead poet, Walt Whitman,  is similar to the poems that will be recognized this year in Perry’s new dead poet society club .

The dead poet society is a club based off the 1989 movie where students come together to discuss and enjoy poetry. The movie, Dead Poet Society is about a  group of young boys who secretly share poems written by poets who have passed on.  The club is not allowed by the school because it encourages the teenagers to think outside of the set learning standards.

Similar to the movie, Perry’s club will have meetings to discuss poetry. The club appeals to students who wish to be creative and discuss poems.

” [It] gives you opportunity to express yourself; to find something that really speaks to you and to share it with other people,” secretary of the club Joelle Cayer said, “it’s touchy feel-y”.

Students bring poems they desire to discuss at meetings. In the movie, the poems recognized are all written by dead poets. However, for Perry’s club, students have the opportunity to share any poem they like. Another idea Perry’s dead poet society has thought of is to allow members to share their own poetry that they create themselves.

English teacher Penny Snyder, one of the teachers over the club stated, “It’s really just getting together and appreciating poetry.”

Often teachers are required to present certain criteria that causes poetry to be forgotten. With standards, it is difficult for students to gain opportunity  to share their creativity and individuality.

“I think it’s something that’s kind of gone away especially with common core and informational text,” English teacher Tammy Soelberg said, “there’s no place or form for people to talk about poetry.”

The idea for the club was presented last year by AP English students who had seen the movie and desired to discuss poetry as well. Although the movie starred Robin Williams who recently passed away, the starting of the club had nothing to do with his death.

Vice precedent Ellen O’Brien of the dead poet society claimed, “It’s fun, more people should join.”

Any student with an interest in poetry is welcome to join the club. Meetings are held Tuesdays during conference. However, exact dates have not been officiated. To join , contact Ms. Soleberg or Ms. Snyder for more information.