Kazoos blared while medieval-style sonnets were delivered to recipients on Wednesday, April 17.
The new Haven tradition was started two years ago by Jabberwocky’s Editors-in-Chief, senior Leah Gonzalez-Diaz and 2023 alumnus Nuala McHugh. Sonnetpalooza delivers messages of romance, friendship, or universal themes in sonnets.
The Sonnetpalooza tradition started to celebrate National Poetry Month, which is the month of April, and spread the name of Jabberwocky.
“Not many people really know about the magazine,” Gonzalez-Diaz said.
Sonnetpalooza is more than just a celebration of National Poetry Month, though. It is also an opportunity to have fun and share the creative world of literature.
“We dress up in Medieval/Renaissance/Elizabethan costumes and go around and deliver sonnets to people in the middle of class with kazoos,” Gonzalez-Diaz said. “It’s a really great time.”
Sonnets were purchasable at lunches the week before the palooza. Money from the sales went to the extracurricular-based publication to fundraise for print issues.
“The more money we raise on our end, the more color pages we can have and the longer our editions can be,” English teacher and Jabberwocky adviser Mrs. Miriam Drew said.
The preparation for Sonnetpalooza began mid-March, before spring break.
“We had to get a commitment from Dr. Hilden to allow us to do it,” Drew said. “We wanted to get it in before AP testing.”
The sonnet writing was easier than previous Sonnetpaloozas.
“We wrote the sonnets in the templates that we used in the previous years,” Drew said.
After weeks of work, members of the Jabberwocky publication felt accomplished.
“It’s always such a rewarding experience to see all the hard work you put into something pay off,” Gonzalez-Diaz said. “Especially since it can be really stressful.”
For other Jabberwocky members, Sonnetpalooza is a memorable experience with a community that shares a passion for spreading poetry.
“Being able to be with your friends for a whole day, and seeing everyone’s embarrassment, or receiving the sonnet, it’s just really fun,” senior Literary Editor Jo Kelly said.
The future of Sonnetpalooza is a jabberwocky waiting to be defined by the next Editor-in-Chief.
“I think they should have complete free rein over what Sonnetpalooza becomes,” Gonzalez-Diaz said. “I’m excited to see whatever they come up with.”
DISCLAIMER: Reporter is a member of the Jabberwocky staff.
