With poems and stories in hand, students stepped up to a microphone in Cherry Hall and read their original pieces of writing during “Open Mic Night” on Monday.

Winchester senior, Emily Houston, an English and international affairs double major, said she facilitated the event because she wanted to continue the event from the previous year, which was facilitated by a former student in her class.

“I really wanted to make sure it continued,” Houston said. “[The writers] have the opportunity to share their work. They have the opportunity to get feedback from other writers, listen to other poets and learn from each other.”

Lexington senior Celeste Rehmel, a creative writing and history double major, was the first student to read her work at the event in front of the nearly 30 students and faculty who attended. She read a poem she had written for her advanced poetry class.

Rehmel said she hopes to become an author in the future, and she read her poem at the event because she wanted to gain practice of reading her works aloud in smaller settings.

“You get to know other people’s writing and build community,” Rehmel said. “By doing this, you can encourage each other.”

Sarah Walters, a journalism major from Louisville, read two of her poems at the event. Although Walters said she was new to poetry reading, she wanted to read her poem aloud because she had previously submitted it into a poetry contest.

“I am incredibly critical of myself and I think that is noticeable from those listening when I’m up there reading,” Walters said. “I just need to get out of my own head and learn to be more comfortable with myself.”

Nicole Ziege can be reached at 270-745-6011 and [email protected]. Follow Nicole Ziege on Twitter at @NicoleZiege.