Local administrator named Nassau County poet laureate

Courtesy poetryvlog.com

Dr. Linda Opyr was the featured poet for December for poetryvlog.com

Since elementary school, lifelong New Hyde Park resident Linda Opyr, 58, has been devoted to poetry, and that dedication recently paid off. On June 12, Opyr was named poet laureate of Nassau County.

Opyr, who graduated from New Hyde Park Memorial High School, has been working in the Sewanhaka Central High School District for over 35 years. She taught English at Sewanhaka High School for 15 years, and  has served as assistant superintendent for the district for four.

“I had wonderful teachers who had us read some truly fantastic poets,” Opyr said about her experience at New Hyde Park.

What is a poet laureate?

A poet laureate has been government-appointed to compose and recite poetry for official events. Nassau County appoints a new poet laureate every two years. Past Nassau poet laureates include Maxwell Corydon Wheat, Jr. (2007) and Gayl Teller (2009).

“My job is to be the face of poetry for Nassau County,” Opyr said. “I hold readings, both of my own poetry and of other writers’ poetry, and try to get residents to participate.”

Opyr received the accolade after reciting “I Am Your History” — a testament to the personal-themed poetry that Opyr writes, and a tribute to Manhasset, Massapequa and Freeport, among several other Long Island communities. She read the poem at the Nassau County Poet Laureate Ceremony, which was held on June 12, at the Allen Ellsworth Park in Farmingdale.

“I’m both honored and humbled,” Opyr said about being named poet laureate. “I’m very grateful that I have the opportunity to touch people with my poetry.”