New York Times best-selling nonfiction writer and poet Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz spent two days at Shady Side Academy Senior School on Dec. 8-9 as part of SSA's Richard F. Gregory Visiting Writers Series, which brings a different author to campus each year to work with students as part of the English curriculum.

Aptowicz has been described as "something of a legend in NYC's slam poetry scene" and is the author of six books of poetry and two nonfiction books. Her nonfiction book, Dr. Mutter's Marvels: A True Tale of Intrigue and Innovation at the Dawn of Modern Medicine, made seven national "Best Books of 2014" lists and was assigned summer reading for all Senior School students in preparation for her visit.

Aptowicz engaged with students in classes all day Thursday and Friday, conducted a poetry workshop for students Thursday afternoon, spoke at an all-school assembly Friday morning, and held a poetry slam with students on Friday afternoon.

Browse photos from her visit.

VIDEO: Visiting Writer Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz at Senior School Assembly

VIDEO: Poetry Slam with Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz

The Richard F. Gregory Visiting Writers Series is named in memory of Dick Gregory, who taught English at Shady Side from 1953-1989 and passed away in 2014. An anonymous donor provided initial funding for the series in the hope that others who were impacted by Mr. Gregory would contribute to keep his memory alive. The series launched in 2015 with a visit from best-selling Pittsburgh author Stewart O'Nan. Anyone interested in supporting the series should contact Director of Development Rick Munroe '84 at rmunroe@shadysideacademy.org or 412-968-3044.