On a cloudy spring evening, Storybook Café in Pine Plains filled with the sound of applause as students stepped up to a small microphone stand near the storefront windows. Some recited original poems. Others performed songs. A few read verses by their favorite poets.
(Mary Jenkins/ The New Pine Plains Herald)
It was Open Mic Night, organized by the Student Activism and Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) clubs at Stissing Mountain High School. For students who might not otherwise take the stage, it was a chance to speak in front of two dozen classmates, teachers, and neighbors — in a space explicitly welcoming to LGBTQ+ youth and allies.
“Come up and read a poem, tell a story, do some standup, or share your music,” said senior Emma Henderson, who serves as president of the Student Activism Club. She opened the event on April 26 alongside GSA president Jocelyn Reyes, also a senior, and recited the club’s mission statement: “We’re dedicated to making everyone feel safe and welcome here, specifically LGBTQ+ students and allies.”
Senior Ren Babcock, GSA member and Student Activism club secretary, was one of the first poets to step onstage and share some original verse.
“This is actually our second Open Mic Night,” Babcock told the Herald. “We originally got the idea after attending one hosted by Red Hook High School’s GSA two years ago. I read my poetry and really felt supported. There was lots of food, lots of fun, and lots of participation, so we decided to have one in Pine Plains.”
Storybook owner Kenzie Killmer recalled being contacted by Sean White, the clubs’ co-advisor — and her former junior high Spanish teacher. “Mr. White asked if they could use the café, and I was happy to let them,” she said. “When I went to Stissing decades ago, there wasn’t any GSA, so being able to offer a safe space for the kids to have fun is important to me.”
The clubs’ first Open Mic Night was held on Dec. 6, 2024 — the same date as the opener of the high school’s fall musical, “Noises Off.”
“Audience numbers were lower than expected,” Henderson said, “But the people who came had a great time, so we knew we would just have to do another one.”
GSA secretary Athena Toohey, a sixth-grader at Stissing, celebrated her 12th birthday with family and friends at a table near the stage. Killmer served orders of grilled cheese on sourdough and Nutella empanadas from the special Open Mic Night menu, and high schoolers took turns at the microphone — most reading poetry from their cellphones.
Adults performed too: Roger Cohn and Lenny Sutton — known locally for his library cooking classes — harmonized to 1960s oldies; Pine Plains resident Tina Pierce played guitar and sang original tunes; and Stissing Junior High ELA teacher Courtney Kaufman, co-advisor to both clubs, recited a love sonnet by Pablo Neruda.
“The existence of the GSA and Student Activism clubs is a symbol that everyone is welcome in our school,” said White. “This event is a great way to bring the student experience into the community in a supportive environment.”
