Bulletin for December 18, 2025
Featured Speaker: Jayla Higgs
Poetry as a Spiritual Calling — Hope, Resilience, and the Art of ‘Resurfacing’
OPENING
The meeting began with a prayer from Paula and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Dana.
“Use the gifts God gave you wisely. Be positive, have self-esteem, and reflect patriotism when dealing with your fellow man.”
— Jefferson J. DeBlanc, United States Marine Corps Medal of Honor
INTERESTING TIDBITS
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Frank Ulrich worked at Patty Jewett’s when he was 17.
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The club started accepting women members 17 years ago. The first female club member was Sam Miley.
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS
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First Zoom Meeting of 2026: Will feature an author from Texas. More off-site visits are planned, including one to the ‘Suburban Delivery System,’ with priority for board members.
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Board Meeting Rescheduled: January 20th at 4:30 PM at Bob’s place.
KEYNOTE: JAYLA HIGGS — POET
Although Jayla Higgs is only a sophomore math major at Hampton University (an HBCU), she is already a published poet and an extraordinarily inspirational speaker. Her journey into poetry began in school as a personal outlet and has evolved into what she describes as a spiritual calling to share God’s word.
Her Books and Poems
Jayla talked about the themes of her two books, One More First Time and Resurface . She recited several poems, including ‘Let Go,’ ‘The End,’ ‘A Broken Crayon Still Writes,’ ‘Funeral,’ and newer works like ‘Look Up’ and ‘Make Me.’ She described how her creative process has deepened by inviting the Holy Spirit into her writing.
Her mother Judy Higgs also contributed to the session, sharing insights into Jayla’s early creativity.
Five Themes in Her Poetry
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Growing Up & Teenage Experience: The emotional ups and downs of adolescence — first loves, heartbreak, identity, and self-discovery.
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Hope & Resilience: Finding strength and moving forward even after painful experiences.
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Love in Its Many Forms: Romantic, familial, and platonic love — joy and pain woven together.
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Transformation & Self-Reflection: How people change after difficulty — ‘resurfacing’ with new insight.
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Struggle & Hardship: Mistreatment, sorrow, societal challenges, and the weight of growing up in a complex world.
Background
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Sophomore math major at Hampton University (HBCU)
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Began writing poetry in her junior year of high school (~2022) as an outlet for teenage emotions
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An early significant piece was written following the George Floyd incident
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A Christian who believes her poetry is a divine calling