MOSES LAKE — NCW Libraries will be hosting poet and Big Bend Community College graduate Ricardo Ruiz for a two-hour mindful poetry class Sept. 8 at the Moses Lake Public Library, Sept. 9 at the Wenatchee Public Library and Sept. 19 at the Quincy Public Library, according to the NCW website.

In Moses Lake the workshop will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Wenatchee and from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Quincy, said the website.

The class is a bilingual poetry workshop titled Finding Your Voice, according to the website. The subject will be how mindfulness and poetry can help individuals find their voice and demonstrate how poetry can help develop self-awareness and expression.

According to the website, anyone can register for the class and no prior writing experience is needed. The workshop will include basic mindfulness practices and guided writing — participants will write one poem by the end of the session. The program will be presented in English and Spanish, according to the website.

“The son of potato factory workers, Ricardo hails from Othello, Wash., and his works often draw from his experience as a first-generation Mexican-American,” said the website. “He is passionate about elevating the marginalized voices from rural communities and takes pride in being a conduit for cultural connection. His own struggles straddling cultures provide insight to the difficulties of the Mexican migrant worker and their families.”

Ruiz earned a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Washington, according to his website. He is a U.S. Army veteran — while in the military he was recognized as a distinguished honor graduate and distinguished leader during his Advanced Leadership course.

Ruiz said during a May 2023 presentation at BBCC that he credits Big Bend faculty and staff, especially English and Gender Studies Professor Allison Palumbo, for his success as a poet and his love of language.

“Like many families in our community, my parents worked tirelessly to provide for their family,” Ruiz said. “However, I lacked direction and struggled to envision the possibilities for my life. I made poor decisions, and eventually dropped out of high school, coming to Big Bend and getting my GED,” he said.

Ruiz said he initially failed all of his classes at BBCC, but after his time in the military, he returned and finished his education with more dedication and a better perspective on the world after his experiences.

“In my time overseas, I suffered several physical injuries, having been involved in three different IED attacks, and more gunfights than I can count,” Ruiz said in May.

He then returned to the “sun of the 509,” and went back to school at BBCC. With English as his second language, the first run had been a challenge, but after connecting with instructors at BBCC, something clicked and he was able to move forward more firmly than his first attempt at school.

“As a kid, I had no first language,” Ruiz said. “I can say that I've never had a conversation with my mom in English. I've always struggled with grammar and syntax. I failed every writing class that I had in high school. It was part of the reason why I dropped out because I felt I couldn't write. Dr. Palumbo changed that for me. Big Bend changed that for me.”

To register for a class, visit www.ncwlibraries.org/mindful-poetry-class.