Omondi, a sophomore economics major, was one of five poets chosen.

“I am tremendously grateful for the opportunity to be considered and awarded this honor,” Omondi said. “Poetry for me has always been a freeing conduit for my thoughts and I have been blessed to learn from such an amazing guide like professor Jason Koo. He has provided me with the room to write, grow and refine my work and my passion and I am forever grateful for his belief in my ability.”

Each year, the Connecticut Poetry Circuit enlists a panel of poets to judge a statewide contest of college-student poets. Five student poets are selected to tour the circuit each spring. The winning Connecticut Student Poets read their work at a number of universities around the state and at events such as the Sunken Garden Poetry Festival in Farmington.

“Brian Omondi is truly special,” Koo said. “He's one of the most brilliant students I've ever worked with in 22 years of teaching. He's naturally inquisitive and passionate about learning, and, on top of that, he's an outstanding human being with great empathy for his fellow students and a strong moral compass. I couldn't be prouder of his achievement.”

The Connecticut Poetry Circuit was established in 1968 to continue the work of the New England Poetry Circuit, which was founded in 1964 by the Academy of American Poets and Holly Stevens, daughter of the acclaimed poet and Hartford insurance executive Wallace Stevens. This year’s judges were Randall Horton, Clare Rossini, Kate Rushin, Vivian Shipley and John Stanizzi.