Poetry Contest for National Poetry Month - Event recap

The Arcturus team revealed their cover art and release date at the National Poetry Month Winner’s Reception on Wednesday. Student editors of the literary journal participated in the Open Mic offered at the reception, and invited the community to their June 3 release party. 

The cover art for the 2026 Arcturus is entitled “Metamorphosis”, and submitted by Highline student Leonardo Salamanca. The student editors from the winter 2026 quarter selected Salamanca’s piece anonymously, and crafted this year’s theme around the title. 

“History has told us that the individual human experience is guided by community and subject to great change. We often turn to the arts to express that change, whether or not we recognize what has spurred on this creative spark. Through times of great upheaval or transition, this act of human expression is more important than ever,” writes the editors. 

“Our editing team, after months of pouring over all the works we received, saw in them the fact that we, as people, often come to points in our lives when – often under the guidance, intentional or otherwise, of others – we undergo a period of change; one may call this a ‘symbiotic metamorphosis’.” 

‘Symbiotic Metamorphosis’ is meant to capture the change we go through together, whether in tandem or as supports. The two figures on the cover art encapsulate this idea, as one’s energy flows into another. 

This concept is evident in the relationship between The Arcturus and the National Poetry Month Committee. All winning poets from this year’s Highline Poetry Contest will be included in the 2026 Arcturus journal, including one of this quarter’s student editors of the publication. 

Spring student editor Sonya Jennings read “Frustration”, one of last year’s winning poems, out of the 2025 Arcturus journal, which was being given out at the event. Editions of the journal are paid for by the college, and given out for free each year to the community. 

The 2026 Arcturus journal will be released June 3, hosting two separate parties on that day. Lunch service takes place from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., and dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Building 2. 

Poetry with Saddiq Dzukogi - Event recap

Highline College welcomed Saddiq Dzukogi this Thursday, for Poetry and Samosas. This event was held in honor of National Poetry Month. This function featured a poetry reading, followed by a writing workshop, and a shared meal of vegetarian samosas.

As the start time approached, the room became full of both students and staff, many of whom were excited to try the samosas. 

When the event began, Saddiq Dzukogi was introduced. We learned he was born in Nigeria, and is the author of Bakandamiya: An Elegy, which is sold at the Highline Library. He is also a teacher at the University of Nebraska.

Professor Susan Rich shared that Highline’s connection to Dzukogi began nine years ago when she first read a poem of his and decided to reach out to him when he was “a young man with a dream.” That long-lasting connection has brought him to campus once again as part of Highline’s annual poetry celebration. Now, here he was inspiring another generation of dreamers.

He was soft-spoken and thoughtful; with a quiet presence many imagine a poet would carry. Once he began reading, the room became quiet and engaged. His first poem centered on homesickness, a fitting theme for a poet away from home. One line from his reading that stood out to me was “May home forever be lost to your wayfaring, but not your heart. May you hunger for her, …”

Much of Saddiq Dzukogi’s work contends with grief, reminiscence, and the meaning of home. In another reading, he said “…the home that wanted me as much as I wanted it to want me. It was just not enough.” Many at Highline understand what it means to love a home but have life call from elsewhere. Sometimes we are uprooted and changed whether we are ready or not.

After his reading, Dzukogi reflected on writing itself, expressing “Language is the song of our lives.” He also shared that a critic once asked him why so much of his work returns to grief. His response was simple. “Grief is the only constant in life.” His poetry does not shy away from heartbreak but rather works through it and shares it. Grief is universal, and grief is an expression of how much love a space can hold. It is part of the duality of life.

Arcturus' attendance was to connect with Highline’s poetry community and encourage students to share their work with Arcturus. As Highline's literary journal, Arcturus exists to feature student work and support artistic expression on campus.

The event was a memorable one. The room was full and the vegetarian samosas disappeared quickly, and we are all left contemplating grief, beauty, and what it means to carry home with you. Highline’s library carries his newest book, available for readers who want to spend more time with his work.

Arcturus Will Attend Poetry and Samosas with Saddiq Dzukogi

Arcturus will be attending Poetry and Samosas with Saddiq Dzukogi on Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM in Mt. Constance, Building 8. Held as part of National Poetry Month, the event will feature a poetry reading and workshop, as well as a light lunch featuring vegetarian Samosas. We are excited to attend a campus event that celebrates poetry, creativity and community.

We've begun editing for 2026

Our newest editing team has assembled and we're ready to review submissions. Get them in while you can. The deadline for this year's edition is February 23rd.