- March 6, 2025
School resource deputy Dave Agata gives Chase Price snaps after he read a poem. Photo by Paige Wilson
Students Paetyn Leturdez, Arabella Lugo, Presleigh Daniels, Payton Zuromsai and Lea Colmone snap for the student presenter. Photo by Paige Wilson
Third-grader Thalia Fresse reads her poem about wanting to be a police officer. Photo by Paige Wilson
Sgt. Chris Ragazzo, school resource office Dave Agata and deputy Jeremy Chamber at the Poetry Police event. Photo by Paige Wilson
Third-grader Kaiha Blaine reads her poem about spring. Photo by Paige Wilson
Chase Price reads a poem while dressed up like an officer. Photo by Paige Wilson
Jared Dials reads a poem next to school resource officer Dave Agata. Dave Photo by Paige Wilson
Snaps — instead of claps — were given for each student who read poems out loud to their peers and a few members of the Flagler County Sheriff's Office during Old King Elementary School's Poetry Police event, bringing the spirit of a poetry cafe to life.
The OKES media center was transformed in honor of National Poetry Month. There were different interactive stations like pocket poetry, blackout poetry and more set up all month around the room for students to frequent.
OKES teacher Kim Weeks held a second-annual Poetry Police event on Wednesday, April 24, to close the month with a special presentation. FCSO deputy Dave Agata, the OKES school resource deputy, along with FCSO Sgt. Chris Ragazzo and deputy Jeremy Chamber, joined the second- through fourth-graders in reading poems — some by other authors and some hand-written.
"I just wanted the kids to see our local deputies in a positive light, having fun, reading poetry," Weeks said. "A lot of kids are not even really exposed to poetry, so since April is Poetry Month, I wanted them to be exposed to poetry in a fun way."
Student Chase Price dressed up in police officer gear while he read a poem. Third-grader Thalia Fresse read a poem she wrote about local heroes, who she wants to be one of when she grows up.
"I like to do what they like to do," Thalia said alter reading her poem about police officers helping others.
