Nazaleem Smith

Wellesley High School Author: Nazaleem Smith (1970)

            Nazaleem, student, teacher, advisor, and poet embodies the essence of the WHS experience. When she arrived as a member of the second class of METCO students, Nazaleem (known then as Cecily), immediately contributed her love of poetry and dance and fashion to the rest of the school. She altered the culture significantly and captured the experience of coming from Boston to Wellesley in her poem “Riding for an Education.” This poem has been like a theme song for many METCO students for decades. It is in a frame outside the office. Naz became the METCO advisor and taught a creative writing class. At faculty retirements, Naz was the poet laureate and composed memorable poems for special occasions.